28 April, 1812. 
DEPARTURE FROM GRAAFFREYNET. 
169 
which prove their virtue or their sincerity. It is not the shadow of 
forms, but the substance of upright conduct in life, which constitutes 
real or practical religion. At the head of human nature stands the 
honest man ; at the bottom, the hypocrite. 
This ceremony occupied a quarter of an hour ; after which I 
mustered my party, and sent them forward, with orders to make the 
best of their way to Sneeuwberg, and wait for me at Herholdt's, the 
place appointed as our last rendezvous. For, Mr. Kicherer had pro- 
posed that I should accompany him to the farm of an opulent boor, 
named Barend Burgers, his particular friend, and who, at that time, 
happened to be on a visit at his house, and had proposed taking us 
thither in his paardewagen, promising that he would provide for me 
the means of conveyance afterwards to Herholdt's. To this proposal 
there could be no objection, as it gave me an opportunity of seeing 
another part of the Snow Mountains, and of acquiring further in- 
formation on the affairs of that part of the Colony. 
Mr. Oloff Stockenstrom, whose friendly attentions were continued 
during the whole time of my residence at Graatfreynet, politely 
desired to accompany me a part of the way on my journey, as far as 
my hut at the foot of the mountains, where, in so singular a manner, 
I first had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with him and 
Mr. Menzies. 
It was nearly noon, before we took our departure from Graaff- 
reynet. In the environs, I passed my men, who, instead of hastening 
forward, had been loitering in the village with their friends. These, 
knowing that their separation must be for a long period, and not 
quite free from the fear of never seeing them again, were as unwilling 
to say farewell, as my people were to hear it. I could not therefore 
be displeased at their disobedience to my orders, but permitted them 
to indulge the feelings of nature, and merely required that they should 
take their final leave before the day was too far advanced for travelling 
with safety. 
The plains which intervene between the Sunday river and the 
mountains, were now enlivened with numerous herds of springbucks ; 
although none had been observed when we passed here a month 
VOL. II. z 
