310 
JOURNAL OF A 
of a man of consequence. To see this poor blind man, groping his 
way out of his dark abode to bid us welcome, was a truly pitiable 
sight. Still more blind as to those things, >vliich are of most im- 
portance to the soul, he now paid no attention to Brother Schmitt's 
friendly invitation to come to Groenekloof. The missionary re- 
minded him of his daughter's baptism, and the hopes then enter- 
tained by us all, that he would follow her example, and in his old 
age, turn to the Lord. He excused himself with a lameness in his 
back, but all good impression, made upon him at that time, seemed 
to have vanished. Yet he expressed himself pleased and thankful 
for our visit. 
Earth-hogs had made approaches towards his hut, which they 
seemed disposed to undermine. Several of their holes Averenot far 
off, and being aware of the danger, he made some inquiry about 
them. We advised him, either to get his people to destroy them, 
or to remove his hut, as otherwise, before he was aware, he and the 
old woman that attended him, might be suddenly let down alive 
into their sepulchral caverns. 
These singular creatures are about as large as a common pig. 
They have a long snout, long sharp claws, very little hair, and a 
rougli skin. Their food is the ants, and probably other insects. 
The ants carry their nests under ground, sometimes to a depth of 
from five to eight and more feet. The earth-hogs therefore follow 
them, and, putting in their long tongue, draw them out and devour 
them. The holes made by these creatures, are often hid among 
the bushes, and a huntsman crossing the waste, may meet with 
an unexpected overthrow, either by falling into them, or by the 
earth being undermined near the entrance, giving way under the 
horse's feet. 
During this ride, I was likewise made attentive to bird, impro- 
perly called a lark. It is about the size of a lark, riies up with a 
rustling noise, rises to a moderate height, and 1} nig on its wings, 
descends, uttering a mournful whoop or whistle. Its melancholy 
