1812. 
JAN BLOEM THE ROBBER. 
249 
by returning to our last station, have caused much delay, besides 
the trouble of going back a day's journey in search of them. We 
suffered no inconvenience ourselves from this want of water, as we 
had taken the precaution of filling two of our casks, before we 
set out. 
llth. Early in the morning we yoked the oxen to the waggons, 
and, in less than two hours, arrived at a spring where there was 
still abundance of good water. This was called Bloems Fountain, 
after a man named Jan Bloem * who had formerly resided in the 
Colony, but who stationed himself at this spring, and continued for 
some years to lead a lawless life. He associated with him a party of 
Hottentots and a considerable number of the surrounding natives ; 
and, by giving them a share of the booty, induced them to assist him 
in his plundering expeditions against the Bachapins and other tribes, 
from whom he carried off innumerable herds of cattle, and thus, for 
a long time, supported himself by successful villany and unprovoked 
outrage. Tempted, at length, by the reported wealth of the Nudkketsi 
nation, he made, conjointly with a Bichuana chief named Makrakki, 
an attack upon their chief town ; but this being situated on a hill and 
therefore in some respects naturally fortified, he was completely 
repulsed. It is said that his ally, whose people had formerly suffered 
also from his roliberies, thus disappointed in his booty and fearing 
some future mischief from his dangerous associate, caused the water 
at which he was then lying, to be poisoned ; and the death of this 
lawless disturber, was the well merited and unlamented consequence. 
On arriving at Bloem's Fountain, we found the spot occupied by 
a lion, with a lioness and her two whelps ; and at the same time a 
buffalo t was drinking there. On our sending the dogs to drive 
them out, they all took flight ; but the buffalo was pursued on 
horseback by Philip, and, after a short chase, overtaken and shot. 
The little waggon was immediately unloaded to fetch home the 
carcass ; and I accompanied it, that I might have an opportunity of 
* Already mentioned at page 6. 
VOL. II. K K 
f Bos coffer. 
