78 
JOURNEY TO BETHELSDORP. 
[1813. 
cattle, than a thousand African ones. It would be well 
if some of these were sent over to instruct African 
dogs to be more useful to their masters. Perhaps 
were the people here to witness their sagacity, they 
would suspect they were rational beings. The moon 
retired about midnight, and we halted where the hills, 
on each side, nearly met. 
12th. We could not travel a stage in the morning, 
as the oxen were not sufficiently rested. We sent to a 
boors place, about a mile distant, in search of pro- 
visions : it was called Wildeboom (or Wildtree) Place. 
The family had much the appearance of a farmer's 
family in England. We dined with them. Water is 
the only drink at this meal : whatever may be eaten, 
little is drank. Perhaps it would be the same in Eng- 
land were only water served up. The people might 
have plenty of wine, if they chose to be at the trouble 
to put into the ground a sufficient number of vines ; 
and there are millions of empty acres on which to 
plant them. When we had returned from a walk in 
the garden, the mistress reproved her son for taking 
us there ; for, in consequence of long wild grass grow- 
ing in many parts of it, she said, it was full of ser- 
pents ; and none of us wore boots. 
We spent much of our time while here with Mr. 
Barkhouse, son of the boor, who lives at a small dis- 
tance. He is rather a singular character, having been 
dumb from a child. He never was taught any trade, 
yet he is a good carpenter, waggon maker, founder, 
