1812. 
LUCAS AND HIS COMPANIONS TAKE LEAVE. 
219 
fallen the gardens of this village : an unusually heavy storm of hail 
had cut all the leaves off their tobacco plants^ and totally ruined 
the expected crop, on which so much of their comforts, and even 
profits, depended. 
^Srd. Hans Lucas, Hendrik Abrams, and Nieuwveld, now took 
their leave of us, and returned to their homes at Groote-doorn, by a 
nearer road across the mountains. Lucas had proved himself to be 
a worthy good-hearted Hottentot, and though neither he, nor any 
of the others excepting my own men, had much more to do on the 
journey than merely to accompany me, I found in him always a 
readiness and goodwill, which failed not to gain my esteem. In 
Abrauis I discovered nothing either to censure or to commend ; unless 
I censure him for inactivity, and commend him for quietness. 
Niewwveld, as a Bushman, deserved praise for his constant and steady 
attention to his duty in driving the loose cattle, as long as we had 
any to require his care. I had very little communication with him 
by conversation, because he spoke no language but his own ; yet in 
his deportment there was something which claimed my good opinion. 
At this village, we left Cobus Bei^ends and Ruiter. The former 
was, I believe, a good old man ; but on account of his age, was of no 
use whatever to us as an assistant ; although his presence, to give the 
appearance of greater strength to the party, and occasionally his judg- 
ment and experience, rendered him an acceptable companion. Ruiter 
was at the commencement of the journey, a very useful man as an 
interpreter, but having taken offence at my finding fault with some 
unfair bartering of which he had been guilty, he became sullen and 
often refused to interpret ; so that ultimately he was of little ad- 
vantage, excepting by his mere presence : and this was the utmost 
extent of Old DanieVs service. It appeared to me remarkable that 
no one of the party, excepting my own people, shot any game, although 
gunpowder was delivered to all in the same proportion ; yet it was 
always reported as having been consumed. However, we all parted 
good friends ; and I had the satisfaction of having accomplished my 
journey, without accident to any one, and with the gratification of 
knowing that no one was the worse for having accompanied me. 
F F 2 
