VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 123 
Lebrecht Aris owed twelve dollars to a farmer, in the neighbour- 
hood of Gnadenthal, and not having the means to pay, engaged 
with the boor above-mentioned to work six months on his farm, 
at two dollars per month and his cost, on condition, that the boor 
should immediately discharge his debt. He had worked two 
months, when his creditor again called on him, and threatened 
him with imprisonment, unless he immediately paid the twelve 
dollars. In his distress, he applied to a missionary, who lent 
him the money, for the payment of which he received a regular 
receipt from his creditor. This receipt the poor man had in his 
pocket, but being nearly frightened out of his senses, by the 
violence of the boor's behaviour, he forgot to produce it at the 
Veldcornet's. After discovering the boor's neglect to fulfil his en- 
gagement to pay his creditor, he now not only refused to work 
any longer with so faithless an employer, but had a demand upon 
him for four dollars, being two month's pay. The boor, however, 
most unjustly insisted on his serving him the remaining four 
months, under pretence of a contract. But no written agreement 
having been made and signed, in presence of a Veldcornet, which 
is required to bind a Hottentot to his employer, for any stated 
time, the Veldcornet discharged him for the present, without fur- 
ther explanation. Lebrecht, after recovering his spirits, stated 
his case satisfactorily to us, and on our return, I submitted it to 
the landdrost of Zwellendam, who sent a proper reproof to the 
unjust boor. 
Near this place, we first met with the great thorn-bush, a mimosa, 
with which many parts of the country are nearly covered. It has 
thorns from four to six inches long. They are placed two and two, 
in an obtuse angle, of about ninety degrees ; out of the inner centre 
of which proceeds, from a bud, a number of small pinnated leaves, 
resembling the acacia. The flower is yellow, and consists of a great 
number of small leaves placed in a globular form. The shape of 
the tree is very elegant. 
After a hot ride, we pitched our tent upon a waste called Storm's 
