398 
PRESENTS TO THE CHIEF. 
14 July, 
After the dancing in the hut was ended, Gert came to my 
waggon, where I desired him to remain, as I found him sometimes 
useful in explaining in the Kora language, some expressions which 
Muchunka could not comprehend. Mattivi and Mollemmi being, as 
already stated, brothers by the same mother who was a Kora, were, 
from this circumstance, both well acquainted with that tongue : 
Molaali and Mahura, in features and figure more resembled the true 
Bichuana or Caffre, and being the sons of another woman, were 
therefore but half-brothers to the other two. Now it happened, in 
this respect fortunately, that Gert by his long residence at Klaarwater, 
had acquired some proficiency in the Kora dialect, which was facili- 
tated by his own knowledge of the Hottentot language ; for he was 
thus enabled to rectify several of Muchunka s interpretations^ when the 
latter made use of that dialect in explaining what I had said. These 
mistakes of my interpreter arose, at this time, both from heedlessness 
and from an insufficient acquaintance with the Dutch. Mollemmi, 
who professed friendship towards me, declared on this occasion that 
he was truly glad that Gert had been able to explain my real meaning, 
as it caused him to feel still more my friend than before. He re- 
peated the request, that I would allow him and his brothers to have 
the first choice of all the beads which I had brought for barter. 
When I was again alone, Mattivi came with one of his wives, 
to bring me a pot of thick milk, and for which I paid her in 
tobacco. I then desired him to come into the waggon, and having 
sent for Gert and Muchunka, I showed him the things which I had 
brought as a present for himself, independently of tlie rest of his 
family for whom I intended some other articles of less value. 
The present which he received at this time, consisted of, a 
quantity of beads of the favorite colors, white, black, and light blue, 
and weighing all together nearly five pounds ; a small roll of tobacco, 
of three pounds j a brass pocket-tinderbox and steel, made expressly 
for lighting a pipe ; a sheath-knife ; a cotton handkerchief ; a snuff- 
box ; and a gilt chain. 
Both in the selection, and in the quantity, of these articles, I was 
guided by the advice of the Klaarwater people, who considered them 
