188 
RETURN TO 
7—9 May, 
from the tops of the hills, and had clearly ascertained who we were, 
they would come to us as gladly as before ; and on this subject I was 
not under the least uneasiness, as my little Bushman protege was 
now with me, and would at any time give notice to his countrymen 
that we were friends. Had they not at first, mistaken us for boors, 
we should have been visited by them, the moment we entered their 
country. 
My Graaffreynet people were, greatly encouraged when I 
announced to them the name I had given to this spring, and the 
certainty of our having advanced half way to Klaarwater ; as all, 
excepting Van Roye and Cornelis, were obliged to travel on foot a 
great part of the way, and it was only now and then, that they could 
be relieved by changing places with the ox-riders. The woman with 
her child, however, was always allowed to ride, either on my horse, 
or on one of the oxen ; and occasionally I dismounted, and gave up 
my seat to one or other of the people who appeared most fatigued. 
It will be seen, therefore, on looking over the Itinerary, that we in 
general made, what under such circumstances must be considered, 
long days-marches. We had this day advanced more than twenty- 
five miles, notwithstanding all impediments and many stoppages 
occasioned by our baggage getting frequently out of order. 
^th. The confidence which my Klaarwater party had gained by 
their former friendly reception among the Bushmen, was very re- 
markable. As an instance of this, Speelman, accompanied only by 
Platje, set out early this morning, that they might reach Kraaikop's 
kraal before the rest, and give notice of our approach. 
After a march of above nineteen miles, we arrived at the A:m«/, where 
its inhabitants rejoiced to see us again, and greeted us as old friends. 
The father of the Bushboy soon made his appearance and seemed most 
happy at finding his son safely returned. What account the boy 
gave of his adventures, I could not possibly learn ; but he was grown 
so nmch fatter since he first joined our party, that it was not neces- 
sary for him to tell his countrymen that he had been well treated. 
He was of very sedate and modest manners, and seldom indulged in 
open mirth and laughter ; probably because he had little opportunity 
