1811. 
IN THE ASBESTOS MOUNTAINS. 
329 
Hottentots, or Riet fontein (Reed Fountain) in Dutch. They after- 
wards removed to The Kloof , but finally fixed their head-quarters at 
Klaarwater^ as being a situation more central with respect to the 
different out-posts, or kraals, occupied by this race of Hottentots. 
Visiting the different dwellings, making various enquiries, and 
examining into the state of the settlement, occupied the missionaries 
the whole of the day. The weather was too hot for attempting the 
journey in the day-time ; but in the cool of the evening, my fellow 
travellers took leave of me, and proceeded on their way to Klaar- 
water, accompanied only by that part of our caravan, whose homes 
were at that station : the rest either remaining at the Kloof, or 
taking a different road, each to his own kraal. Our Hottentot cap- 
tain, Berends, remained here, being the chief of this village ; over 
which, and a few surrounding outposts, his authority extends. 
Wishing to explore, and examine a spot which appeared so 
interesting, and to gain leisure for putting in order my collections, 
and the mass of observations which had been daily accumulating, I 
determined to rest here a few days ; and, therefore, selected a con- 
venient place for my waggons, at a little distance from the kraal, at 
the mouth of a narrow valley, closed both at the upper end, and on 
each side, by high rocky mountains. No grass, nor verdure, covered 
the stony ground ; a few scattered bushes contributed scarcely a 
tint of green to vary the barren brown color which distinguished all 
the mountains around. My men formed for themselves a low hut, 
with poles and mats ; and, by fixing a skreen of these on the wind- 
ward side of the smaller waggon, contrived a tolerably comfortable 
sleeping place. They soon began to feel themselves at home, as 
they were allowed to visit, or, as they call it, kuyer^ at the kraal ; 
wh^re, by an introduction from Maagers, it was not long before they 
made several acquaintances. My Hottentot Jan Kok, who had 
been hired for the journey as far as Klaarwater, here begged to 
have his discharge ; and, as he had all along proved himself to be a 
lazy fellow, I made no difficulty in granting his request. But his 
companion and countryman, Maagers, was desirous of remaining 
u u 
