FEB.] JOURNEY TO BETHELSDORP. 
41 
A little after five in the morning a bell was rung as 
a signal for the school to assemble, when about eighteen 
women and four boys came together, and read out of 
their catechism for about an hoar. A leader spells 
and pronounces each syllable, which all pronounce 
after her. They sing at the beginning and conclusion. 
Their plan requires much improvement. After visiting 
and conversing with the Hottentots in their houses, 
and viewing the ground that was cultivated, we returned 
to Zwellendam about six P.M. where we found that 
Mr. Pacalt, missionary, had arrived with his luggage 
to accompany us to George Drosdy, near which we 
expected he would be settled, at least for a time, 
among a Kraal of Hottentots, but our waggons being 
already overloaded, they could admit of no addition, 
we were therefore obliged to leave him to labour at 
and around Zwellendam till some opportunity should 
occur of reaching George. 
We left Zwellendam about seven P.M. The nmht 
was cool and wind}^ yet not unpleasant, and the 
heavens were studded with stars. One of the three 
perpetual clouds called by seamen The Cape Clouds, 
appeared black, but I was satisfied that it is only a 
part of the Via Lactea, or Milky Way, which being 
itself destitute of brightness, but encompassed by the 
lustre of the surrounding stars, has in a clear night the 
appearance of a black cloud. 
This being the driest season in the year, the boors 
feurn the heath and dry grass upon their extensive 
a 
