VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 
225 
volumes of smoke arising fro;n it. The house, and several sol- 
diers' huts stood empty. About two in the afternoon, we reach- 
ed Commadocha, a military post, lately forsaken. Viewing it at 
a distance, we pleased ourselves Avith the hopes of there procur- 
ing a fresh supply of good water, milk, and other articles, of which 
we were in want. But not a dog came forth to notice our arrival, 
much less a human being. The place was surrounded by a mud- 
wall and a ditch. The wall had loop-holes, and small bastions at 
the angles, sufficient to resist any attack of undisciplined Caffres. 
We enlered this lonely place with some caution, but found every 
part of it completely emptied of furniture. Two or three old hats 
were lying about, which might have been very serviceable to our 
Hottentots, but they would not take them, observing, that their own- 
ers were not there to permit it. We acted with the same honesty, 
in not seizing upon three pigs, and a number of hens and chickens, 
running about the garden and bushes. Three small dogs, nearly 
dead with hunger, were lying within the wall. A fine cat came 
purring towards us out of a bush, which we fed and intended to 
carry to the next post, but she would not stay in the waggon. 
The whole situation, with the surrounding country, looked drea- 
ry and comfortless in the extreme; and having rested about half an 
hour, we proceeded, and arrived about sunset at a military post, at 
that time commanded by a Lieutenant Forbes. The lieutenant, and 
Ensign Dingley, offered us every assistance. Being in want of seve- 
ral articles, we procured them from the contractor, whose shop was 
situated on the other side of a narrow vale. The ensign, how- 
ever, soon came to fetch us back to his hut, and insisted on getting 
a dinner cooked for us. Having been advised to take advantage 
of the full moon, and proceed to the next station, we were 
obliged to decline his offer, but accepted of that of the lieutenant, 
to take coffee with him. lie presented Sister Schmitt with 
a loaf of wheaten bread of superior excellence, which proved a 
great treasure to us. The road was good, and we arrived in 
about two hours at the post, near the banks of the Great Fish 
