304 
JOURNAL OF A 
11th. In the afternoon, Mr. Melville arrived here, being enoaged 
to make a general survey of the Groenekloof district, and as we 
^vere now daily considering of the best manner of procuring men 
and means to build the new church, we were glad to have so able a 
counsellor to assist in our deliberations. 
12th. I drew up a writing, to be placed in the foundation-stone, 
which, in the sequel, was approved and signed by all the mission- 
aries. After Mr. Melville had left us, Brother Schmitt rode with 
me to the Groote Post, to engage Mr. Croucher, the overseer, to 
come to Groenekloof on a survey of the Avood, that we might know, 
what trees might be useful for spars and scaffolding. 
The Groote Post, which is a Government farm, and hunting-seat 
of the Governor, lies nearly north of Groenekloof. On ascending 
the heights, it appears, at about an hours distance, pleasantly si- 
tuated, under a range of low heathy hills. The road passes through 
a wilderness, covered with rhinoceros and other bushes, harbouring 
various kinds of game. We started some rehbock antelopes, and se- 
veral black cocks or Korhans, which betray themselves by a loud 
chattering noise, in endeavouring to escape. On the hills lie many 
hug;e fragments of stones, loosely thrown together, affording shelter 
to baboons, wolves, and jackals. But these animals are seldom 
seen, without going into their haunts. They prove their presence 
in the country, by their frequent depredations and other misdeeds. 
At night, the two latter sally forth on predatory expeditions; the 
baboon retires into his strong-hold at sunset. 
The Conterberg is the highest mountain in this part of the coun- 
try; then follows the Lauweskloof hill. The lower ranges take a 
direction from south-west to north-east. 
Much ground has been cultivated at the Groote Post, and its 
fields and gardens look like a green carpet, spread on the brown 
waste. The house is not large, and, though said to be built under 
English direction, is wholly Dutch in its arrangements. A clumsy 
flight of steps leads to the main entrance. The kitchen and servants' 
hall are close to the sitting room, which has a huge fire-place, quite 
