86 JOURNAL OF A 
as suitable for a third settlement. Our equipage was a covered 
waggon, drawn by ten hired oxen, with a driver and leader. We 
passed the Bavians-Revier, and turned up the heathy hills, be- 
hind the CaftVe-Kraal, towards Stoffels-Kraal. Brother Bonatz 
walked with me to an eminence, from v/hich I could overlook a 
great part of the boundary of Gnadenthal. There is indeed, to 
appearance, a sufficient quantity of land, for every purpose of cul- 
ture and pasturage; but of four thousand acres, granted to the 
Brethren by Government, the greater part is barren, and incapa- 
ble of cultivation; or at least of that description, that the expense 
required to make it fit for use, would be much greater than we 
could well afford. Stoffels-Kraal is an ancient Hottentot station, 
but now forsaken. There is, however, some good land along a 
small gully, now dry. From hence we went to the farm of a wi- 
dow, Mrs. Giebeler, whom we did not find at home. It is, like most 
farms in this neighbourhood, an assemblage of mean houses and 
sheds, but the plantations are fine, consisting of large peach orch- 
ards, and gardens, surrounded by avenues of firs, and of groves of 
various kinds of trees. This place likewise belonged to a tribe 
of Hottentots, but was taken from them, by a species of robbery, 
very common in former days, when for a few bottles of brandy, or 
some other trifling consideration, the best lands in their posses- 
sion were purchased of them; and the Hottentot captain, perhaps 
in a state of intoxication, led to some magistrate, by whom the 
shameful bargain was ratified. The poor fellow did not come to 
his senses, till it was too late, when he perceived with dismay, how 
he had suffered himself, and his people to be duped. 
Our road now led through a barren country. In about three 
hours we arrived at the Sieckenhaus, the residence of Mynheer 
Teunis senior. It was interesting to me to see and converse with 
this man, who, at the commencement of the mission, rendered es- 
sential services to the three Brethren, till their unexpected suc- 
cess in collecting a congregation of Hottentots made him, for a 
season, a dangerous enemy. He is however again considered as 
