480 
SALT. — PORTRAIT OF MAHURA. 
28 July, 
of a Bichuana ever to adopt the arts of Europe, they gained, probably, 
some new and useful ideas. In this work Van Roye assisted ; and 
now, for the first time, appeared willing to render us service. These 
symptoms of improvement were to be attributed to the threats and 
admonitions with which I had lately endeavoured to rouse him, and 
I readily flattered myself that they indicated a permanent change of 
conduct. 
Cornelis also showed himself a more effective member of our 
party, and, mounted on one of the horses and leading another by 
a thong, had started early in the morning to fetch the salt from the 
waggons at the Makkwarin. He was to have accompanied Berends 
yesterday, but the horses, being gone to pasture, could not be found 
in time. He returned on the evening of the following day, bringing 
about a gallon. Those who have never been in want of salt, will 
scarcely think this small quantity worth a journey of ninety miles, or 
that when obtained, it should appear to us a valuable and important 
acquisition. 
Being, if I may use the expression, the only ' portrait-painter ' 
at Litakun, I should soon, had I not rejected many who presented 
themselves to me for this purpose, have been as much overwhelmed 
with work as their blacksmith, who, in his profession, was also the 
only artist ; especially as my terms were more profitable to the 
person who sat, than to the painter. 
Among those whose likeness I was desirous of possessing, was 
Mattivi's younger brother, Mahura whom I have before noticed as a 
young man of remarkably handsome countenance as a black. There 
was a certain characteristic expression in the eyes, and a smooth and 
undefined cast of features, which I found extremely difficult to repre- 
sent ; and in this attempt I failed, or, to speak more favorably, I did 
not, at this time at least, succeed in a degree which could give a cor- 
rect idea of that peculiar expression. The natives were not, on 
this occasion, so civiHzed as to flatter me and pay a compliment at 
the expense of truth : they very honestly declared, as soon as it was 
finished, that it was mdshue (ugly, or, incorrect.) 
They then asked again to see the portraits of Mollemmi, of 
