1811. 
SHAMBOKS. — AN UNCIVIL BOOR. 
87 
rounded to the thickness of a man's finger, and tapering to the top. 
This is universally used in the colony for a horsewhip, and is much 
more durable than the whips of European manufacture. The sham- 
bok employed by waggon-drivers, and called Agter-os shambok, (or 
the shambok for managing the after pair of oxen) is of the same 
form as the other, but of double the length, and as much thicker 
as the hide will admit of. This manufacture is not peculiar to 
the Cape ; it is well known in Northern Africa, and forms an 
article of trade under the name of Corbage. 
From the top of the pass there is an extensive and very fine view 
of the Isthmus, False Bay, and of the whole range of mountains 
from the Lion's Head to Cape Point. The great number of new and 
beautiful plants which I saw on this mountain, induced me to collect 
a bundle of specimens, although I had no means of preserving, 
nor even of carrying with me, a collection of so much bulk. The- 
most strikingly beautiful then in flower were Erica taxifolia and 
Erica fascicularis : many kinds of Protea, particularly Protea spe- 
ciosa; together with Protea cordata, a very singular species, of a 
growth nearly herbaceous. At Steenbraassem (Stonebream) river, 
which runs close by the eastern side of the Kloof, finding some wag- 
gons at outspan, we asked the favor of one of the boors * to leave 
my bundle at Fortuintje, which lay in his road ; but received a direct 
refusal. I applied to one of his Hottentots, offering him some 
money for his trouble ; but having observed his baas (master) deny 
me the same favor, he dared not act contrary to him, and gave me 
also a refusal. The baas, however, seeing me offer the money, called 
out to the Hottentot, " Neem de geld,^^-\ (take the money). This he 
immediately did, and promised to deliver the flowers safely, together 
with a note hastily written, requesting that they might be sent to 
Cape Town ; but nothing afi:er this was heard of my plants, nor were 
* This word is used for signifying the Dutch farmers, and is, on every occasion, to 
be taken in that sense only ; being a substitute for the Duth word boer (farmer), 
t Written according to the pronunciation and dialect of the country districts. 
