166 
A FORTUNATE MEETING. 
17, 18 June, 
the cooking utensils, besides the karosses (cloaks) and bedding of the 
Hottentots, were secured. 
That no measure of forethought might be omitted, I appointed 
agents * in Cape Town, to receive and forward to England the pack- 
ages and collections, which I might have to send back while still 
within reach of the colony. 
All my arrangements were now completed, excepting one, which 
was not of trifling importance : I was still without the proper com- 
plement of men. No answer had yet been received from the mis- 
sionary at Groene Kloof, although nearly a fortnight had elapsed. 
The three that were already hired would have been enough, in the 
ordinary mode of travelling within the colony, that is, one to drive 
the waggon, another to lead the team, and the third to take charge 
of the loose oxen ; but for a journey over deserts and through un- 
civilised nations, so small a number was very insufficient. Philip 
had been daily employed in making enquiries, but hitherto without 
success ; and, therefore, seeing little prospect of hiring Hottentots 
in Cape Town, I resolved to rely on the chances of obtaining them 
in my way through the colony. 
In the afternoon, my two Hottentots were sent to Salt-river to 
fetch the oxen, and returned with them at sun-set, to be in readiness 
for the next day. 
\^th. Early this morning, Philip accidentally met a Hot- 
tentot acquaintance of his, who had but just arrived in town, and 
who, not more than two months before, had received his discharge 
from the Cape regiment. His old comrade had no sooner mentioned 
to him the proposed journey, than he expressed the greatest desire 
to go with us, although he was unfortunately at this time engaged 
as herdsman in the service of a person of the name of Leibbrandt, 
who resided in the town. 
* Messrs. Ranken 8( Scott, English merchants ; to whom I am under much obhgation, 
particularly to the latter, during the absence of his partner, for the great care which, 
during four years, was taken of the different packages that came into their hands. 
