VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 249 
proceed witli our own oxen, without much trouble and delay," 
Fresh oxen being soon procured, we passed by two farms in the 
Lange Kloof. At one of them. Brother Schmitt and I endeavoured 
to gain entrance, but a broad sheet of water prevented us. The 
people called out from the opposite side, desiring that we would 
come over with the waggons, but wishing to reach Kliphiibel, be- 
fore it grew dark, we thanked them for their kind olfer, and push- 
ed on as fast as our weary cattle would bear it. 
On our arrival, we met with a very dry reception. Card-playing 
occupied the attention of the family, and an officer of dragoons, 
contrary to the general practice of the military, bestowed no kind 
of attention upon his countrymen. No invitation Avas given, nor 
any assistance offered. Pitching our tent upon the werft could not 
well be refused, but we were left to get fuel, where w^e could find it, 
and to cook our own victuals. Though, in general, we were most 
happy and independent in our tent, yet we could not but feel the af- 
front as intended; and the night being very cold, it proved injurious 
to Sister Schmitt's health. Meanwhile, the Veldcornet's house rang 
with mirth and jollity. A miserable fliite whistled in accompaniment 
to the heels of the merry party, the clatter of which disturbed our 
night's rest, almost as much as the tournament performed by the bull 
and his associates at Engelbrecht's, in Bruntjes Hoogte. 
28th. While we were at breakfast, we had the honour of a visit from 
our ungracious host. He came with his pipe in his mouth, and squat- 
ting down on the ground, commenced a conversation on various sub- 
jects. But he seemed principally to wish to know , whether we had 
found a place, suitable for a settlement. He was told, that we had 
seen several, but fixed on none. He then surveyed the waggons, ob- 
served, that they were well constructed for a long journey, and made 
a great merit of putting us forward immediately, with two spanns 
of cows. His slaves and domestics, by his own order, durst not 
take any notice of, or assist us, and the English officer afterwards 
pretended to say, that he had not known that Englishmen were on 
the werft, t hough he had spoken with both Mr. Melville and me. 
