156 MAGERS AND KOK RECEIVE THEIR ORDERS. 31 May— 2 June, 
towards the knee, and left their brown skin exposed ; but the blue 
Enghsh jackets, as if to compensate the deficiency, were such as had 
certainly been intended for men of double the size. Their woolly 
heads were decorated with the new hats they had just purchased; 
and shoes of their own making covered their otherwise naked feet. 
They introduced themselves with a respectful manner ; but the 
Dutch they spoke was so peculiar, that I required the assistance of 
an interpreter. I showed them my waggon, which they minutely 
inspected in every part, and seemed more particularly to examine 
the wheels, shaking them to ascertain if the vehicle would run 
lightly ; when they gave their decision, that " all was good." They 
expressed themselves much pleased at having been selected for my 
service, promising that they would modi oppassen (take good care of 
every thing), and serve me faithfully. Magers's son, a boy of about 
twelve years of age, was engaged to act as leader of the team. The 
whole of their wages was paid in advance, that they might profit by 
the present opportunity of laying it out to advantage in Cape Town. 
I gave them orders to go immediately to the Bokkeveld, to 
fetch my oxen ; and, for their use during their journey thither and 
back, I provided them with a quantity of tobacco. So large a supply 
of an article which produces no small portion of their enjoyments, 
gave them a high opinion of the generosity of their new master, and 
inspired a cheerful briskness in their talk, and a wonderful alacrity in 
their motions : wonderful, at least, in a Hottentot. For my part, I 
was equally well pleased with them, and was not lesS delighted at 
the prospect of our departure. They then took leave, perfectly 
satisfied with the bargain, and hastened away to lay out their money, 
as the waggons of their countrymen, by which they were to send 
home their purchases, were, in a day or two, to start from Salt- 
river, and to proceed slowly on, to wait for us at the borders of 
the colony. 
This morning the thermometer was found to have sunk to 48° 
(7*1 R. ; 8*8 C). A new sight presented itself: the highest parts 
of the great western range of mountains appeared covered with snow. 
This remained unmelted for two or three days, although the temper- 
