1812. 
DIFFICULTIES AND DELAY. — HANNAH AND TRUY. 
225 
lessly left behind, returned on the third day with an empty horn, and 
with the story of his having lost all his powder and ball, and shot 
nothing : this might be accounted for by his having passed through 
The Kloof, and afterwards taken a circuit round by Grootedoorn. 
25/^. My oxen, which had been left under the care of Abram 
Abrams, were brought that I might see them, and as they appeared 
to be in the best order, he received the promised reward ; and, my 
waggons being found all safe and in proper condition, Gert also 
received a present as an encouragement of his fidelity. 
'2!lth. A small party of Hottentots returned home to day from a 
journey to The Hart ; where they had been to barter for cattle. They 
had intended going to the Roode Kaffers (Red CafFres) ; but were 
dissuaded by some Bachapins who accompanied them. 
It seems to be a common maxim with all the nations of the 
Interior, to oppose the wishes of any strangers desirous of visiting the 
tribes beyond ; always giving as a reason for doing so, that it is 
dangerous to travel among people so cruel as they represent them 
to be ; but their real motive is, the desire that no tribe but themselves 
shall reap the advantages to be derived from trading with strangers. 
June 3d. I had intended leaving Klaarwater in a week after my 
arrival; judging that that time would be sufficient for putting every 
thing in travelling order, and for making all those arrangements which 
circumstances might require. But as I had from no one the least 
assistance, and as my people were more inclined to loiter among 
their old acquaintances and smoke their time away, than actively to 
despatch their work, I found the period of our departure, greatly to 
my annoyance, prolonged from day to day, by various difficulties and 
obstructions arising in one quarter or another. 
The two women Hannah and Truij, who, though brought on 
the journey contrary to my first intention, were still the object of 
care and concern : they were to be provided for, during our absence, 
whether we returned to this place, or proceeded through the con- 
tinent. I, however, made their husbands manage the business as if 
on their own account, well knowing that otherwise I should have 
been assailed with the most unreasonable demands for gunpowder and 
VOL. II. G G 
