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JOURNAL OF A 
had unnecessarily put the castle into a state of alarm, its master 
should receive fifty lashes: " but," added he, " among these 
" mountains, and under British government, I hope, that my ba- 
*' boon and I may make as much noise as we please, without 
" either of us endangering his back/' 
Brother Schmitt, struck with the general levity of this honest 
man's manner, began to speak seriously with him about his ad- 
vanced age, and observed, that though he was blessed with such 
good health and flow of spirits, it was high time to think of the 
approach of death. He replied, that as to religion, he understood 
more about it, than all the people that travelled that way, and 
would immediately enter the lists with him, to prove, that the 
Lutheran faith was the right one. Having brought three or four 
quarto volumes from an adjoining room, he declared, that he had 
read them all through, and by them could settle any dispute. 
Brother Schmitt declined all dispute, and wished only to impress 
upon his mind the necessity of true conversion of heart and as- 
surance of acceptance with God, through the merits of Jesus 
Christ. But the old man either would, or could not understand 
Iiim, and turned the conversation to other subjects. 
Our cattle were completely fatigued, and Mr. Rutter obliged 
us much, by sending for two spanns, and putting us forward, with- 
out an express order from the Veldcornet. The road from the 
Groote Paerdekraal led through a very rough country, to the 
Haagekraal. That part of the mountains which will admit of 
any verdure, is well covered with it. Wageboom is frequent, 
and in other places, the sugar-bush, being now in full flower, 
adorned the slopes of the hills, with great splendor. At six we 
reached Haagekraal, and though the proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. 
Meyer, were not at home, their son gave us a hearty welcome. 
The night turned out windy and rainy, and we were again thank- 
ful to be under shelter. 
Our driver Marcus, who had expressed much joy at our resolu- 
tion to pass this way, as it would give him an opportunity of once 
