464 A WALK TO SERRAKUTU'S MOOTSI. 24 July, 
me, than most of my other Hottentots, I took him as my attendant 
in this walk, that it might be rendered more pleasant by the presence 
of one whose conduct, by forming a contrast with that which has just 
been described, seemed in some degree to have the effect of an 
antidote against the vexation which that had caused me. While, the 
occupation of drawing, and the expectation that I should one day, 
surrounded by my friends, have the pleasure of showing them by 
these means the interesting scene now before me, relieved my mind 
from the uneasy sensations at the past, and enabled me to enjoy all 
the gratification and instruction which the prospect afforded. 
In addition to this, I had the good-fortune to be allowed to take 
my walk through tlie town without great molestation from tobacco- 
beggars ; and during my drawing I was not much incommoded by 
the curiosity of the inhabitants, as there were seldom so many col- 
lected together at one time, as to form a crowd around me. They 
stood looking over me for a little while, and then went away. Those 
who^-happened to be passing that way, as they were returning home 
with their jars of water, or loads of firewood, stopped a minute or 
two to inquire the object of my employment. Others were walking 
idly about, or sitting on the ground occupied merely in occasional 
conversation, or in asking questions of those who had just been 
looking at my drawing : while a larger party were in a similar manner 
passing their time under the beautiful acacias in Serrakutu's mootsi. * 
* The sixth plate represents a view of part of Litakun as seen from the foot of the 
hills on its northern side, and looking westerly. It exhibits scarcely a third of the town ; 
the other part lying extended over the plain much farther to the right, and occupying the 
lower part of the valley as far as the distant hills. About the middle of the picture, and 
just above the trunk of an acacia, may be seen the roof of the Chiefs dwelling, and close to 
it the mootsi (moatsi) or public enclosure, distinguished by the two waggons. The horizon 
on the left, is formed by a boundless view over the Great Plains of Litakun ; that on the 
right is intercepted by low hills similar to those which shelter the town on the south, and 
which may be imagined as rising up immediately behind the spectator. The nearest house 
on the left, is the residence of Serrakutu's younger wife, and his mootsi enclosed by a 
hedge of dry branches, is seen farther to the right. The large trees within that fence; 
are of the kind named Acacia Litdkunensis, and called moshu by the inhabitants. As 
they are faithful portraits of the trees from which they were drawn, they will convey 
to the botanist, as well as to the general observer, a correct idea of their growth, and 
