154 
JOURNAL OF A 
we were soon provided with a good supper, being our only meal 
on this day. While it was preparing, Mr. Melville Avent with 
me, to pay a visit to the farmer in his dwelling, braving the at- 
tack of an "host of dogs, to whose cowardly barking we could pay 
no attention, having carefully to mind our balance on the step- 
ping stones, over which we passed through the deep mud and filth 
surrounding the premises. We sat some time with the family, the 
Veldcornet, and some visitors, and obtained much information on 
various subjects, connected with our future progress. My fire-box 
was also exhibited, to the utter astonishment of all present. Be- 
fore we went to rest, we returned thanks to God our Preserver, for 
having safely brought us thus far, through a dangerous path, which 
to some has even proved fatal. We were favoured with fine, dry 
w eather, without which few travellers will venture to cross the defiles 
of Kayman's Gat and Trckata'kou. 
19th. We rose before sunset, vainly hoping to reach Melkhout 
Kraal, Mr. Rex's house on the Knysna, before dark. In an hour 
and a half, we arrived at the Veldcornet's house. He had accom- 
panied us the whole way, and now invited us to partake of his break- 
fast. I'his consisted of excellent white bread and butter, sweet milk, 
wild honey of delicious flavour, peaches and pears, served up in the 
old patriarchal style. His hou^e and premises lie on an eminence, 
without any trees or gardens about them. Having lately shot four 
tygers,he exhibited their skins. The largest measured five feet six 
inches, from the nose to the root of the tail, the tail itself four feet. 
It had seized a young heifer by the throat, whose bellovv^ing and 
dying gioans brought the Veldcornet to the spot, when he shot the 
ferocious animal through the body. The skin was much injured, 
but beautiful in the brightness of its colours. 
Here we saw for the first time, a proof of the devastation made 
liy tiie Calfres during the late war, in the ruins of the farm-liouse, 
oi" which the walls only were yet standing. The inhabitants, fear- 
ing a repetition of the incursions of that restless people, have not 
ventured to rebuild their houses, and are now satisfied to dwell 
