41S 
NAMACQUA LAND. 
[1813, 
most of the people understand only the Namacqua 
language, the missionaries are obliged to address them 
through interpreters, of whom they have two, who 
appear well quahfied for the office — they speak with 
readiness and apparent interest. 
15tli. In the morning we took a ride through the 
kloof, or defile, to the Great River. In our way ran 
a brook of brackish or salt water, which disappeared 
among sand and appeared again about eight times. 
We had only been a few minutes at the river, when 
Mr. Read caught a large fish among the stones, which 
directed the attention of all to the obtaining more, 
and they obtained near two dozen of various kinds 
in the course of an hour. Perhaps this little circum- 
stance may increase the comfort of the settlers at 
Pella, who were not aware that fish could be so easily 
obtained. The people are not fond of fish, yet to save 
their sheep, they may be induced to catch a few now 
and then, which may jn time produce a fondness for 
that kind of food. 
The river was bounded by extremely barren and high 
mountains on each side, which barely gave it room to 
run in. Those on the north side are almost black, 
with hardly a blade of grass, only a solitary koker 
tree here and there; those on the south side are 
composed, some of red, others of brown stone, which 
appeared as if the surface had been in a furnace, 
with the ashes strewed over them. The heat which 
they endure must be great, for their aspect is directly 
