VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 159 
our departure. We now had much difficulty to prevail upon our 
hospitable host to let us depart in the morning. 
After dinner, he showed us his gardens, which are at some dis- 
tance from the dwelling, towards the valley. They are well 
stocked with a great variety of produce, but no attention has 
been paid to ornament. 
22d. Having at length convinced Mr. Ilex, that it was our 
duty no longer to indulge in the pleasure he proposed to give 
us, by prolonging our stay, but, impressed with great grati- 
tude for the hospitable reception we had met with at his house, 
to proceed on the business committed to us, he consented, and 
resolved himself to accompany us to Jackal's Kraal. His lady 
having furnished Sister Schmitt with a supply of very needful 
stores and refreshments, we left Melkhout Kraal at ten o'clock, 
Mr. Rex and his son following us on horseback. 
When they came up with us, Mr. Rex took a seat in the wag- 
gon. The road was uneven, but presented charming views of the 
surrounding country, and of the woods, which partly crown the 
summits, and partly adorn the sides of the hills. For some miles, 
the forest extends from the range of high mountains, forming the 
northern boundary of the bay, to the sea-coast. This region is 
called the Port. At a place in the wood, where two roads met, 
Mr. Rex related, that here, during the last invasion of the colony, 
a party of Caffres surprised some boors with their wives, five of 
whom they murdered in cool blood. One of the women begged 
hard for the life of her husband. After some consultation, they 
suddenly seized him and cut him in pieces. They carried off 
one of the women, and kept her for four days. They then sent 
a message to her husband, demanding two hundred rix-dollars, 
as a ransom for his wife. Fearing treachery, he refused to treat 
with them. Mean-while she persisted in her entreaties to be 
released, which at length they not only granted without ransom, 
but gave her a safeguard to conduct her home, having treated 
her well during her stay. 
