LIFE OF C. KOK. 
261 
The existence of Bootchuanas was unknown 
■when he first took up his residence on the banks 
of the Great River. He discovered them acci- 
dentally, while engaged on a hunting excursion, 
in which the game led him to the Krooman 
River. Here he found the Matchappees living 
-at a place called Kammupeeree, which is but a 
little lower down the river than the spot where 
Lattakoo now stands. Mateebe's father, Mal- 
layabang, was then king, and a young man. A 
short time before his arrival they had been at- 
tacked by a strong party of Corannas, under the 
■command of John Bloom, a bastard Hottentot, 
who had captured most of their cattle, which 
rendered their circumstances truly deplorable, 
being in a starving condition, and obliged to live, 
on what roots they could find. Cornelius threat- 
ened Bloom that he would inform the governor 
at the Cape if he persisted in his depredations. 
In consequence of this threat, by which he was 
intimidated. Bloom retired, and settled in the 
Griqua country, on the spot where Hardcastle 
now stands. Kok assisted the Matchappees in 
their distress, by now and then living amongst 
them, and shooting game for them, for which 
kindness they still feel grateful, and say that, 
but for his benevolence, they should have been a 
scattered people like the wild Bushmen. 
When the English first took the Cape, Cornelius 
