1811. 
AT THE KARREE RIVER. 
269 
a handkerchief to protect them from the sun. It was impossible to 
avoid their importunities, except by granting what they asked for ; and 
at last we got rid of them, by giving three legs of mutton, a hand- 
kerchief for each, and a quantity of tobacco, enough for them and 
their wives. I purchased of one of these men, for a handkerchiel', 
a very neat basket, wove with rushes so admirably close, that they 
are always used for holding milk or other liquids. He was careful 
not to let this opportunity pass, without begging for something ; and 
first requested to have some brandy, which being refused, he imme- 
diately asked for money to buy some ; for these people are shrewd 
enough to understand very well the nature and use of the Cape 
money. Two of them could speak Dutch very readily ; and the 
principal one, with a polite and friendly air, that I little expected in 
a savage, if such a term could properly be applied to him, gently 
raised my hand to his lips on taking leave, and expressed at the same 
time the warmest acknowledgments of gratitude for the presents I 
had made them. After this they quietly retired to their lire at the 
other side of a rising ground, about two hundred yards distant, where 
they passed the night. 
ISth. Early on the following morning, and before I was up, 
they departed : but, previously coming to my waggon, said they 
must see the Englishman before they went, and called out, wishing 
me to get up. I asked what they had to say, on which they again 
began to beg for meat and tobacco, not satisfied with having obtained 
two shoulders of mutton this morning, and another large supply of 
tobacco. Finding, liowever, that I was not likely soon to come out 
to them, each one cried out as he passed the waggon, Morg vianiil ! 
morg manill ! * which I returned, and they immediately proceeded 
on their way, and were soon out of sight. 
19//i, — 2Srd. We remained at this place several days on ac- ' 
count of the Hottentots, who, not expecting our arrival so soon, and 
finding here no food for their cattle, had sent them, for the sake of 
better pasture, to a place at the distance of two days' journey. 
* Meaning to say, " Gocden morgen, mynheer^'' Good morning, Sir. 
