328 
ARRIVAL AT THE VILLAGE 
19 Sept. 
mestic kind, but very different in the sound it produces. It is to 
be met with most frequently in the months of December, January, 
and February ; and it appears that this species has a very wide geo- 
graphical range, as I afterwards found it far in the Interior, as well 
as within the Cape Colony. 
I9th. Having travelled without intermission the whole night, we 
found ourselves, at sun-rise, at the Asbestos Mountains. On entering 
the defile which leads through them, the Hottentots of our caravan 
began firing off their muskets, both as a salutation to their friends 
at the village of The Kloof, and to apprise them of our approach. 
In a few minutes we came in sight of the village. * It stood in a 
romantic situation, enclosed on all sides by mountains, and con- 
sisted of twenty-six round mat-huts, and five little square-built 
houses, with thatched roofs ; while, at the same time, the view of 
some patches of wheat, of a fresh and delightful verdure, added a 
wonderful charm and interest to the spot. Its tawny inhabitants, 
men, women, and children, all ran out of their huts to witness our 
arrival, and greet their friends and the missionaries, on their safe 
return. 
This settlement had been for a considerable time under the 
religious care and instruction of my fellow travellers. And, as both 
Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Kratner, had been absent from it several 
years, their return formed an important occurrence to its inhabitants. 
I could not behold, but with pleasure, the friendly welcome they 
received ; nor witness, without participating in their feelings, their 
own satisfaction at meeting again, among the number, many Hot- 
tentots of their former congregation. 
Not far from here, is the spot where these missionaries first 
established themselves in 1801, at a place called ylakaap by the 
* The engraving at page 322 is a view of part of the village of The Kloof, looking 
westward, or towards the opening by which we approached it. The mountain is part of 
one which forms the northern end of the valley : it is composed of clay-slate (see the vig- 
nette at the end of this, and of chapter XIX.) in horizontal strata. la the corner on 
the left, is seen a part of a cattle-kraal, or pound. 
