VISIT TO SOUTH i^FJllCA. 213 
respects to the young lion, who came forward to be stroked. A 
servant had this morning killed a piiffadder near the drosty. This 
venomous reptile was about three feet long, four inches in circum- 
ference, its head flat, the variegated spots on the back beautifullj 
and regularly arranged, black upon a greenish-grey ground. 
Besides the oxen and horses provided for us, the landdrost sent 
drivers and guides, and two Hottentot soldiers, who should escort 
us through the Witte Revier Valley, and to Kourney. Before we 
set out, a number of persons, both whites and Hottentots, came to 
bid us farewell, and express their best Avishes for our success, Our 
departure was delayed till near nine o'clock. The caravan consisted 
of our two waggons, each with ten oxen and a guide, two of our 
own horses, three from the landdrost's stables, and two Hottentot 
soldiers, armed with musquets, and dressed in green jackets, with 
a powder-horn and knapsack. 
On quitting Uitenhagen, we soon entered the same kind of 
thicket of brush-wood and bushes, which surround the village on 
all sides, and cover every eminence. Our attention was again 
much engaged with the curious plants and flowers, growing luxu- 
riantly among the bushes. Now and then we sent one of the men 
to fetch some remarkable flower for our inspection. Here, for 
the first time, we saw Hottentots riding on oxen. The halter or 
bridle, is fastened to a piece of wood, passing through the carti- 
lage of the nose, by which the beast is easily guided. In about 
two hours, we reached a farm, with a decent-looking dwelling- 
house, and a mill. Brother Schmitt walked with me down the 
river-side, to the mill. The main wheel lay horizontally, the wa- 
ter taking the cogs sideways. This kind of water-mill is common 
here, of very simple construction, but has but little power. 
The next place we touched at, was on the Kouga Revier, where 
we entered the house, and found a friendly family, from whom we 
purchased milk and butter. While I was admiring a large favourite 
cat, the farmer observed, that he valued that creature as much 
as the best of his numerous dogs. She destroyed not only mice 
