1 812. 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS TO THE CHIEF. 
365 
the prominent station, and made himself the principal speaker; 
although Mollemmi also, took a share in the debate. The younger 
brothers and sons, though attentive to all which was passing, re- 
mained respectfully silent. The surrounding spectators seldom at- 
tempted to speak ; but the kosies who formed the sitting circle, 
occasionally addressed themselves to my interpreter. He, whether 
to save himself trouble, or because what they said was not spoken 
directly to me, left the greatest part of their remarks uninterpreted. 
It appeared that they were questioning him on various subjects re- 
lating to my journey ; such as the length of time since my departure 
from Gape Town, which place they called Mbkaapa ; the reason of 
my subsequent return into the colony; the quantity of tobacco. and 
beads which I had brought with me ; the object of my visit to 
Litakun ; and others of the same nature. What answers were 
made to all these I know not ; but he afterwards gave me to un- 
derstand that his replies were conformable to that which he had 
always heard stated by my Hottentots. 
Addressing myself to the Chief, I told him, that my object in 
coming into his country, was to form an acquaintance with him and 
his people, whom I had heard so favorably spoken of at Kdrrikammd 
(Klaarwater) : that so much had been said in praise of Litakun, that 
I had been very desirous of seeing his town : that I wished at 
the same time to hunt the wild animals, that I might be enabled to 
take home the skins of them to my own country : that I intended to 
stop with the Bachaplns long enough to learn their language, so that 
I might be able to tell them myself many things which I wished 
them to know, and that we might by these means understand each 
other's sentiments more clearly than they could be explained through 
an interpreter : and that I hoped we should thus become true friends, 
that I might at my return home, report of the Bachapins that they 
were a good people, and that on hearing this, other white-men would 
visit him and bring abundance of beads and tobacco. I therefore 
wished now to know from himself, whether he thought that what 1 
had said, was good ; and whether he approved of my remaining a 
long time at Litakun. 
