198 JOUIIKTAL OF A 
the house, where he left his horse in charge of two dragoons. 
On his return, he gave us but faint hopes of our being provided 
with the means of proceeding in the morning. Vorspann had been 
ordered here by the Veldcornet, but the farmer, Mr. Van Roy, 
being absent with two spanns, his lady thought herself under 
no obligation to provide oxen for us. Mr. Melville, however, 
prevailed upon her to promise to let us have one spann in the 
morning, for a six hour's skofF, or half a day's journey. The se- 
cond spann had been ordered by the Veldcornet to meet us at the 
Chamtoos Revier, and of course would miss us. Wolves were heard 
howling in the woods on the opposite bank. 
3d. During the night. Sister Schmitt was alarmed by distinctly 
hearing tygers growling in the woods, on the hill nearest to our en- 
campment. She got up quietly. Rambler following her, and went 
to the Hottentots, who were lying about the fire. By their report, 
she found that she was not mistaken. But not willing to alarm 
us, though I saw her return, and spoke to her, she did not mention 
it, till we rose in the morning. No traveller, however, need be 
afraid of the tyger of this country entering a tent. Unless attacked, 
or conceiving himself to be in danger, he cautiously avoids med- 
dling with man. Whenever met with in an open field, if he has 
opportunity to escape, he makes off slowly and crouching, like a 
cat, but if prevented from escaping, is most furious and deter- 
mined in self-defence. The Avoods about the Chamtoos and Louri 
Reviers are said to abound with them, and the very appearance of 
the country suggests the idea of its being a haunt of wild beasts. 
The hills, which are not high, are full of singular caverns and broken 
rocks, and the number of glens, intersecting each other in all direc- 
tions, afford the best cover for all kinds of ravenous animals. Cattle 
are not considered safe, feeding in the woods or fields, and hardly 
in their kraals or pens. 
Brother Schmitt, on mounting the hill near us, was delighted 
with this charming valley. His wife, meanwhile, visited the far- 
mer's wife, Mrs. Van Roy. Thither we soon followed her. She 
