106 
INHOSPITABLE RECEPTION AT 
18 March, 
remark ; and asked how I could expect to hire Hottentots, when the 
boors found them so scarce. I replied, that Landdrost Stockenstrom 
would assist me. The landdrost, said they, was murdered by the 
CafFres a few weeks ago. The apathy with which they mentioned 
this, must have appeared strongly contrasted by my own expression 
of the shock which I felt at the melancholy intelligence. I asked, if 
it was quite certain ; they briefly assured me that it was : yet still I 
hoped to hear, as I advanced, that this sad news was not correct. 
Thinking it possible they might suppose that by remaining on 
horseback I had no wish to halt, I dismounted and gave the horse to the 
care of one of my men. On this they removed into the house ; and as 
I was uncertain whether I was not expected to follow, I entered ; but 
instead of offering a seat, they began to put further questions merely 
to satisfy their curiosity respecting the nature of the country and the 
quantity of game beyond the borders. 
Finding that no civility was intended to be shown me at this 
house, and the family having given me sufficient proofs of their true 
character, I ended the conversation by inquiring the bearing and 
distance of Graaffreynet ; resolving to depart from a place, the in- 
habitants of which, were so much inferior in benevolence, to the 
savages, — men in whose kraals we had been received with artless joy 
and genuine good-will. 
My own Hottentots, not supposing it possible that their master, 
could meet with any other than a hospitable reception, or at least 
with a civil one, had proceeded to some bushes at the distance of a 
few yards from the fold, where they had unpacked the oxen and were 
preparing to rest till the next morning. Though so close to the old 
baas himself, and his wife, no one came near them, lest their speaking 
to the men might be taken as a welcome to stop there. As I passed 
by the fold in my way to this spot, I made the customary salutation 
to him, with the view of ascertaining to what degree this hoggish 
disposition could be carried, and of leaving him no excuse for omitting 
the common civilities of the colony : neither he, nor his vrouw, made 
any return, nor took any notice of the respect which I paid them ; 
