268 
JOURNAL OF A 
In the evening, Brother Schmitt was desired to deUver a discourse- 
to the Hottentots and slaves belon^inf^ to the family; which he did, 
much to their edification. They expressed their gratitude in lively 
terms. The moon shone bright till midnight, when most unexpect- 
edly, a storm of wind arose, black clouds covered the mountains, 
and the weather underwent a total change. 
9th. Our generous host and hostess insisted upon our taking an 
English breakfast with them, before we left Zwellendam, though we 
felt rather in haste to get across the Breede Revier, before the heavy 
rain had swelled its waters. 
Having received every possible mark of attention from the land- 
drost and his lady, we took leave about ten o'clock. In passing, we 
called upon Mr. Koster, who went out as a missionary under the 
direction of the Missionary Society in London, and had been both 
at Bethelsdorp and Latakkun ; but afterwards, with a view to a more 
independent maintenance, commenced business in this place as 
an apothecary and surgeon, and now supports himself and his fa- 
mily with credit; at the same time holding meetings with the Hot- 
tentots and slaves, and endeavouring to do the work he was called 
to, though no longer directed and supported b}"" the Society. 
It rained now so hard, that Ave made all haste to reach the 
Breede river. It is crossed by a ferry. The cattle, all but the shaft 
oxen, being unyoked, are driven into the river, and swim across. 
On landing, the road was rendered so slippery by the rain, that, with 
every exertion, ten oxen could not drag the waggon up the steep as- 
cent, but frequently fell down. Both spanns were necessary to 
bi ing each waggon to the level. No attention seems to be paid 
to the road, which might very easily be cut down, so as to make the 
approach to the water more convenient. In the evening, we reached 
a farm near the Sonderend, belonging to a Mr. Heiman, where we 
met with a hospitable reception, being recommended by the land- 
drost. Our host had formerly been in the interior, and speaking of 
the wild buffaloe, mentioned a singular stratagem, practised by that 
fierce animal, when hunted in the woods. It runs forward, till it is 
