390 A JOURNEY IN 
appeared to be the most eager to satisfy their curiosity- 
They examined their hair with the closest scrutiny, scarcely 
being able to persuade themselves that it was of natural growth, 
but supposing it rather to be the tail of some animal fixed 
close to the head. 
On the arrival of the waggons towards the close of the day, 
they pitched their tents at six hundred paces to the south- 
ward of the town, on the bank of the river which runs 
through it. Here they were visited by several hundreds of 
people, who all seemed to be highl}^ delighted in getting a 
sight of the strangers ; many of them were extremely curious, 
but without being troublesome, and all of them perfectly good 
humoured. The women brouaht milk in leathern baos, in 
wooden bowls, and in earthen pots, sufficient for the use of 
the whole expedition. As the night approached the people 
gradually left the encampment, and our travellers retired to 
rest with as much composure, and as free from any anxiety 
as to their personal safety, as when in the midst of the 
deserts to which they had so long been accustomed. 
The town of Leetakoo, according to the direction and the 
distance travelled by the expedition from the Roggeveld, is 
situated in latitude 26° 30' south, and longitude 27° east. 
A river, which fi'om the width of the channel must occa- 
sionally be of considerable size, runs through the midst of it. 
The town, in its circumference, was estimated to be fully as 
large as Cape Town, including all the gardens of Table 
Valley ; but from the irregularity of the streets, and the low- 
4 
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