VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 247 
supposed, that as all innovation is generally resisted by uninstructed 
people, many may too soon have taken the alarm. 
After a pleasant ride through the Kromm Revier Valley, we 
reached Jagersbosch, Mr. Akkerman's farm, about nine o'clock. 
Mr. Melville had rode on to farmer Marcus, to procure oxen. 
27th. Mr. Akkerman's house was full of people. Some were sick, 
and every thing within the wretched rooms looked very uncomfort- 
able. Sister Schmitt therefore prepared breakfast for us in front of 
the house. After some time, Mr. Akkerman's oxen arrived, and Bro- 
ther Schmitt, assisted by our Hottentots, chose ten of them, for which, 
as they were picked, we paid what was asked, viz. two hundred and 
fifty dollars. Mr. Akkerman was satisfied to receive part of this 
sum in Gnadenthal knives, which, being a very saleable article, would 
leave him a further profit. The Hottentot, mentioned above, who 
had killed and skinned the tyger during our former visit, had not 
forgotten my promise to purchase the skin, in case he tanned it pro- 
perly. It was well done, and a beautiful skin. I gave the poor fel- 
low the sum he asked and richly deserved. 
Lebrecht Aris being appointed driver of the new-purchased oxen, 
we set out. The road along the Kromm Revier, is a succession of 
lips and downs, on a sloping bank, which, in some places, renders 
travelling dangerous, on account of the sudden descent towards the 
river. The scenery is, in many parts, singular, and a few spots ap- 
pear fertile, especially where the vale widens. 
Mr. Mey's farm, our next station, lay at the head of the river, in 
a dreary glen. He is a Germnn by birth. Mr. Melville was here, 
and having provided one spann of oxen, called to us to come down 
from the road, to see the place. The dwelling was miserable, with 
a carpenter's shop adjoining, but the people were friendly. No 
other spann arriving, we were obliged to employ the oxen we had 
purchased this morning. Among them ^vere two or three, v. hich 
never before had submitted to the yoke. They now expressed 
their objections to serve the lords of the creation, in a manner, that 
endangered the safety, both of our waggons and persons. But 
