1811. 
KNOFLOOKS KRAAL. — EOT RIVER. 
93 
dogs, assembled round their fire, presented a curious and amusing 
sight. 
We crossed the Knoflooks Kraal (Garhc Kraal) nVer, an incon- 
siderable stream, and also a branch of the Bot (Flounder ?) river. 
It was dark when we arrived at the latter, and this rendered it neces- 
sary to proceed cautiously in fording it, especially as a late flood had 
swept away a part of its banks, and covered its bed with large stones. 
On the left bank stood a farm-liouse, the residence of Vaasje (or Ser- 
vaas) Kok, a man with whom my fellow-traveller had some acquaint- 
ance. Here, then, we agreed to take up our quarters for the night; 
and on entering his house, were received in a very friendly and hos- 
pitable manner. 
\Oth. In the morning, to amuse us, we were shown the garden, 
which, for the country districts, might be considered as one of the 
best, as it produced, besides various fruits, several kinds of culinary 
vegetables. Turmeric *, under the name of Bori, was growing luxu- 
riantly, and in full bloom ; but its pale heads of flowers are unobserv- 
able, until sought for under the leaves close to the ground. The 
roots of this, reduced to powder, form an indispensable ingredient in 
curry, a dish much eaten in every part of the colony. I gathered a 
handful of wild plants which grew about this spot "f ; and saw abun- 
dant reason for regretting my want of convenience for preserving 
specimens of the numerous kinds which we passed during our ride. 
Two light-dragopns of the 21st regiment were stationed here, 
and, in the same manner, others also, at certain distances along 
the road, for the purpose of forwarding despatches to and from 
the Governor, who was at this time on an excursion to Pletten- 
berg's Bay. By such an arrangement, intelligence may be conveyed 
with a degree of expedition equal to that of an English mail ; but. 
* Curcuma longa. Linn. 
f Among them were, — 
Leucospermum huxifolhm Aulax umhellata 
Lemodendmm concolor Cale7ulula fj-uticosa 
Mimetes cucullata Hhiis rosviarinifoUum. 
