336 
JOURNAL OF A 
After dinner, the family met in my room, and after a short ad- 
dress by Brother Bonatz, commended me and my young com- 
panion Adolph, to the grace and protection of God our Saviour, 
on our journey and voyage to England. A considerable number 
of Hottentots had meanwhile assembled before the door, with every 
one of whom I shook hands, and bid them farewell, not expecting 
that I should so soon see them again. While we were entering the 
waggon, they sung a fare^v■ ell-hymn, and accompanied us for about 
two miles, to Piipkiills-fonteyn, not intimidated by the rain, which 
kept us shut up in the waggon. 
Sister Bonatz having taken an affectionate leave of her son 
Adolph, returned with the Hottentots, and the Brethren Fritsch 
and Stein. Her husband, and Brother Schmitt and his Avife, ac- 
companied us to the Cape. Mr. Melville rode on, to bespeak a 
niglu's lodging for us at the Veklcornet Mr. Verwey's, where we 
met with a cordial welcome, and good accommodations. It blew 
-tuid rained hard all night, and in the morning of the 
3d. We found it impossible to proceed. Vie were, however, well 
Loused, in good spirits, and, contrary to expectation, spent the day 
ver}^ pleasantly, as each felt disposed. Mr. Melville made some 
copies of his valuable sketches for me. 
An old man, going from place to place, to teach the children 
reading, w riting, and cyphering, but not good manners, which are 
not required, was at this time an inmate of the house, and, like 
most of these itinerant schoolmasters, seemed to lay down the law 
on all questions of importance. It would be cruel and unwise, to 
detract from their consequence or authority, by interference or 
contradictiorf. 
The rain ceasing for an hour in the afternoon, we went to see 
the little Sout llevier, (Salt river), which, even in winter, is but 
a small stream, but now, by the heavy rain, was swollen into a 
very deep and rapid torrent of considerable breadth. It is chiefly 
owing to the want of the smaller streams and brooks, whicii in 
Europe, descending from the hilb, intersect the plains in all direc- 
