1812. 
PLAINS EASTWARD FROM LITAKUN. 
421 
former having with the same ball, as he said, killed one springbuck 
and wounded another, which also fell, Mollemmi immediately fired 
at it, and declared that it was he who had brought it down ; although 
the other natives, who were of that party, honestly owned that the 
animal belonged to the Hottentot. But Speelman was wise enough 
to give up both the honor and his claim, when he found the other 
inclined so obstinately to persist in asserting that they were due to 
him. 
The Bachapins proved on this occasion, that in any emergency 
they can run with great swiftness, or, as my men expressed it, like 
horses ; but that they are unable to continue long at that pace, and 
are, in this qualification, perhaps, much inferior to the Bushmen, 
who have greatly the advantage by being lighter and smaller in 
person. 
The field of their hunting was at a considerable distance east- 
ward from the town, where the country was found to be a boundless 
grassy plain, which my men, who were separated from each other, 
traversed in different directions, and every where met with strong 
springs of water, one of which they reported to be nearly as copious 
as the Klibbolikhonni. This tract is still a continuation of the Great 
Plains before described, and extends, as I afterwards learnt, above a 
day's journey in this direction. The Hottentots saw grazing in 
different parts, innumerable herds of oxen, which were much larger 
and finer than any we had seen in the Chief's cattle-pound in the 
town ; and they were inclined to believe that those which had been 
given to me in the morning, were some of the worst which he 
possessed. 
Mattivi and his attendants, who had also been on the hunt, came 
home again at noon : he employed himself during the rest of the 
day, in making handles for hatchets, such as have been already re- 
presented. The main body of the hunters, many of whom were 
exceedingly fatigued, and my own men, did not return till the 
evening. 
I was myself compelled to remain at home by the waggons ; as 
it would have been highly imprudent to iiave laid temptation in the 
