136 JOURNAL OF A 
by the exhibition. Unpleasant as in many respects this delay 
appeared, yet we were glad, that we had met with a friendly fa- 
mily, who did all in their power to assist us. 
13th. Our generous host and hostess would take nothing for 
what we had enjoyed at their house, but even provided us, gratis, 
with milk and bread for our journey. For a fine fat sheep, Mr. 
Snyman was satisfied to take two Gnadenthal knives, called here 
Boschlemmers, the goodness of which has long recommended them 
to the inhabitants of the colony. From hence we travelled through 
a bushy country, with a vast variety of flowering shrubs and plants, 
many of which yve brought into the waggons to examine. They 
afforded us great gratification, though our want of knowledge in 
botany made it impossible to describe them. After a ride of 
nearly four hours, we forded the Gowritz Revier, which here has a 
sandy bed, enclosed between low, heathy hills. The descent to 
the river is very steep. W e passed between two farms, both of 
which had received orders to furnish oxen. But we were again 
disappointed, and obliged to encamp. The plain was almost cov- 
ered with a species of large black beetles, apparently journeying 
from place to place, disgusting in their shape, and slowly crawling 
upon every thing we laid down. Mean-while Mr. Melville found 
an old friend, Mr. Petersen, Government-Surveyor of the district 
of George, who had just arrived, and to whom he mentioned the 
object of our journey. The surveyor being well acquainted with 
every part of the district, his information was of much use to us, but 
he gave us no hopes of finding any unoccupied land suitable for a 
missionary settlement, either near George or in Mossel-Bay. 
To the latter place, we had resolved to bend our course, both 
by advice of Mr. Von Buissini, and in consequence of an offer of 
land made to me by the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Alexander, m case 
\ve should find his estate an eligible situation. 
Brother Schmitt was here taken very ill Avith violent head-ache, 
and general weakness. When we therefore had procured oxen, Ave 
Avcre obliged to proceed gently, as he found the motion of the vra^- 
