1812. 
THE GERMAN FROM SNEEUWBERG. 
157 
countries where they would find nothing to drink but water. To 
lose no time in securing them for my service, I took them im- 
mediately to the office of Mr. Muller the District-secretary, where 
they were bound for the term of my journey, not in the forms 
customary for Hottentots, but a regular stamped agreement. 
Soon after my arrival at Graaffreynet, Mr. Menzies had men- 
tioned to me a German at that time with the ' commando' on the 
Caffre frontier, as a man who would probably be willing to serve me, 
and might be found useful in superintending my Hottentots and in 
looking after my cattle and waggons ; therefore conceiving that such 
a person would be of great assistance, Mr. Menzies, at my desire, 
obligingly took the trouble of ascertaining his readiness to accompany 
me. Mr. Andries Stockenstrbm, who, three years afterwards, became 
landdrost of Graaffreynet, was at that time on duty in the eastern 
districts as an officer of the Cape regiment, and, when informed of 
my wish to hire this man, who belonged to the detachment of which 
he had the command, he took the very friendly part, with the con- 
currence of Colonel Lyster, of granting his release from the militia, 
as he happened fortunately to be one of the disposable force ; and 
without delay, sent him to Graaffreynet, where he arrived on the 14th. 
This German had formerly been a corporal in the Dutch East 
India Company's service, and having lived many years in the Colony, 
had travelled over a great part of it. He expressed himself exceed- 
ingly pleased at the idea of a journey into the Interior, and made 
promises of the utmost obedience and fidelity : he was, however, 
very illiterate. His place of residence was on Sneeuwberg ; but 
he appeared to have, on what account I could not clearly discover, 
several enemies or opposers, at this village. He was free in his 
religious opinions, and it therefore was not surprising that the cler- 
gyman, who had recommended the two Hottentots as valuable ser- 
vants because they were Christians, should dissuade me from taking 
a man professing such sentiments : and in this he acted with a con- 
sistency becoming his professions. Among others who threw dif- 
ficulties in his way, on this occasion, was the acting-landdrost, 
