88 
JOURNEY TO BETHELSDORP. [1813. 
out it, but a second being sent off with him, they found 
it in the middle of the highway, about two miles dis- 
tant. Being full moon, we were encouraged to pro- 
ceed about nine o'clock on our way, which lay over 
hills, and we crossed Kroom river three times. I 
slept in the waggon as it moved along, from eleven 
P.M. to two in the morning, when they waked me 
to alight, as we were come to a steep descent. Several 
balls of fire appeared in the air, which vanished with 
a little explosion. 
17th. We continued our journey between mountains 
and along the banks of the Kroom till four o'clock 
in the morning. This was washing day, but it does 
not occasion much trouble, as they wash every thing 
in cold water ; yet they make the linen as white as 
any I ever saw. Kroom river considerably increased 
as we descended, and the water was excellent. 
The Hottentots, who are the aborigines of this 
country, are a people nearly extinct ; a few kraals only 
remaining within the limits of the colony. They are 
far from being so barbarous a race as they are usually 
supposed to be by Europeans, who in their ordinary 
talk will say. As wild as a Hottentot — as savage as a 
Hottentot, &c. just as they say. As rich as a Jew — as 
cunning as a Jew. They have nothing more savage about 
them than the peasantry in England. 1 have seen fami- 
lies in London living in more dirty hovels than ever I 
saw Hottentots, and many in London hme committed 
