VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 139 
forced into the eye by the stone. Our friendly host applied some 
camphorated brandy, by which all inflammation was prevented. 
Not being able to obtain any oxen, we were under the necessity of 
remaining some hours at tliis place, to give to those we had brought 
with us sufiicient time for food and rest. Mr. Abiie showed us the 
premises, and went with us into the king's store-house, built as a de- 
posit for corn, to be purchased at a fixed price from the farmers, and 
shipped otf to Capetown for Government-use. Though the benevo- 
lent intention of Government to furnish a market for the farmers has 
not altogether been fulfilled, since the latter think the price given 
not a sufficient reward for their trouble in raising and delivering; 
the corn, yet by some arrangement, it is hoped, that the settle- 
ment in Mossel-Bay will be of use, in affording the means of dis- 
posing of the produce of the country. The coasts of the bay are 
bushy, and aloes grow in great abundance on the surrounding 
hills. Formerly the extract of aloes, used in medicine, fetched 
a price sufficiently high to make it a lucrative trade; but at 
present, since the article has become more common, and the 
price fallen, it appears to be not worth the farmer's while to at- 
tend to it, as we were informed by several persons inhabiting the 
neighbourhood. 
About three in the afternoon, we left Mossel-Bay, and went on 
to Hartenbosch. The road was bad, and led through a forest of 
large bushes of various kinds, among which we started some wild 
peacocks, and a bushbock antelope ; but it was impossible to fol- 
low them, the great quantity of thornbush, Indian figs, and other 
prickly plants rendering the thicket almost impenetrable. We 
passed by another farm belonging to Mr. Alexander, lying be- 
tween low round hills clothed with aloes and low wood. 
At Hartenbosch, we found friendly faces, and excellent quarters 
for the night. Mr. Meyer and his whole family gave us the 
kindest reception, and seemed much pleased with our visit. 
They were amused with the fire-box, drawing utensils, portable 
writing desk, ten-bladed knife, and other English ware in our 
