August.] CHILDREN OF THE BUSHMEN. 
291 
Near this place we found the ground strewed 
with the same kind of pebbles usually met with 
in the bed of the Orange River. The greater part 
were agates and quartze crystals. 
All the Bushmen children in the place fled at 
our approach to the captain's hut, and as many 
as could, concealed themselves behind two 
women ; the others crouched in silence at the 
back part of the hut. They had engaging coun- 
tenances, and were well formed in their persons. 
How pleasing, as well as benevolent, Avould be 
the employment of training up these children 
of the wilderness for the kingdom of Heaven ! 
We invited all the people, who were able to cross 
the river, to join us in worship on the morrow, 
being the Sabbath ; this they promised to do. 
As the sun was nearly set, Kruisman took us 
in haste to the nearest part of the river that was 
fordable. There appeared to be a great many 
stones at the crossing-place, which were likely to 
render it more difficult than that we had passed 
over before ; but the rapid approach of darkness 
allowed no time for hesitation ; besides the river 
might rise in ten minutes so as to render it im- 
passable for weeks. Of course we entered it 
directly. Being obliged to go in a slanting 
direction, the crossing was rendered long and 
tedious. We forced our way up the river, in 
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