228 
GERT AND THE CAPTAIN. 
4 — 6 June, 
and begged me to excuse what he had too hastily said, and declaring 
that he felt no displeasure towards any one but Gert. In these last 
feelings he was better justified, as it was an act of ingratitude to one 
who had, although paid for it, been kind to him in illness, and had 
regularly furnished him with provisions during my absence. But I 
now began to discover that this unfortunate Hottentot was a man 
whose gratitude was not to be won by kindness : he appeared already 
to have forgotten the treatment which he had received from me, and 
which was more that of a friend than of a master : he told me that 
as I had thus made an exposition of him by finding fault with him 
before all the village, he should cease to be so attentive and careful 
as he had hitherto always been, and should in future take no more 
pains than any of the other Hottentots. The sight of the poor 
fellow's hand checked all the anger which I ought to have shown at 
such a speech ; and I contented myself with ordering him away. 
Yet I could not but be exceedingly hurt and disappointed, at finding 
symptoms of unworthiness, in a Hottentot, of whom I was so desirous 
of thinking well. 
5th. Every thing belonging to my waggons being at length put 
in proper condition, and all our preparations and arrangements being 
now completed, I gave, with the utmost satisfaction, orders to Philip 
to fetch my oxen from Grootedoorn. 
The missionaries obligingly sent me from their garden some 
potatoes and onions for my journey, which I accepted as a very 
useful present ; it being my intention to plant them in the Interior, 
or give them to the natives. For this purpose I had brought a quan- 
tity of peach-stones, and other seeds, from Graaffreynet ; and had 
also brought some potatoes from the Cape ; but finding these would 
not keep till I reached Litaakun, I had given them to the missionaries, 
to receive fresh roots at my departure. I left in their hands, some 
beads, for the purpose of paying any of the natives who might be the 
bearer of my letters from the Interior, should I afterwards meet with 
an opportunity of sending any to Klaarwater. 
6th. In the morning Philip returned with the oxen : but reported 
that in consequence of Abram Abrams neglecting on the night before. 
