1811. 
PASTORAL COUNTRIES NOT POPULOUS. 
121 
than that by which it is at present occupied. The immense tract 
of land that, in a country such as this where the herbage is never 
thick enough to cover the ground, is required for a grazing farm, 
tends to check the progress of agriculture, inasmuch as it prevents 
the due subdivision of the land. A pastoral district must necessarily 
be thinly inhabited ; and it is only in proportion as it assumes 
an agricultural character, that it can admit any considerable increase 
of population. It is not to this valley alone, that these remarks are 
applicable ; they will not be found very incorrect, if applied generally 
to the whole of the colony. 
Our hospitable friends, who had been much pleased by the 
unreserved and communicative disposition of my companion, would 
have persuaded us to remain till the next day ; for the visits of 
strangers, from whom any news may be obtained, are almost always 
welcome in this country : but we took our leave at an early hour, 
while the whole of the family, standing at the door as we rode off, 
bade us farewell, and " aangenaame reis'' (pleasant journey) ; often re- 
peating, that if we came that way again, we must not fail to take up 
our quarters at their house. 
The weather was delightful, and not a cloud intercepted the 
brightness of the atmosphere. Nothing could be more pleasant 
than our ride along this valley : every object glowed with the genial 
warmth of the air. At the termination of it, we had to ascend a 
kloof, or gorge, in a range of rocky hills, from the top of which a 
noagnificent scene of mountains burst upon us. At the foot of this 
kloof, after a considerable descent, commenced a long extended 
valley, apparently four or five miles broad, and very level, stretching 
as far as Brand Valley (Burning, or Scalding Valley) ; beyond which 
we beheld the majestic mountains of Hex-Riviers Kloof (the Pass of 
Witches' River). This country is a continuation of the Bosjesveld ; 
and, at about mid-way, we halted at the dwelling of a boor named 
Duplessis, where we arrived at noon. 
Being entirely strangers at this house, we introduced ourselves, 
according to the custom of the country, by riding up to the door, 
remaining seated on our horses till the master of the house makes his 
R . 
