354 
SPEELMAN DEPARTS WITH THE OXEN. 
2—6 Oct. 
in cooking and washing, that had hitherto fallen to her share, was 
done with so little cheerfulness or activity, that I began to fear she 
would be a burthen to us, rather than a help. She had, I ob- 
served, always appeared dull and stupid, seldom joining in convers- 
ation with the rest of the people, and still more seldom, partaking in 
their mirth. 
Speelman had formed, in the course of the journey, a friendly 
acquaintance with old Hans ; and was therefore highly pleased when 
I gave him orders to take up his abode at Elands Valley. He 
quickly rolled up his budget, to which I added a good store of 
tobacco, both for him and for his wife ; for Hannah was a most de- 
termined smoker. He took also a supply of powder and small shot, 
with instructions to shoot for me every variety of birds he might 
chance to see, and which he was immediately to send or bring to 
Klaarwater. 
Although the thermometer stood at 78°, he put on his great 
watch-coat, to give him an air of importance in the eyes of the 
Klaarwater people, few of whom could afford this part of dress, 
though all were desirous of it, as giving them the look of a colonist. 
His budget, and a bundle of sheep-skins to sleep on, were slung at 
his back ; his gun over his shoulder ; a keeri (a short knob-stick) * in 
his hand ; and a short clumsy wooden pipe in his mouth, which 
every instant sent forth a copious whiff of smoke, indicative of his 
pleasure and contentment. Thus equipped, and accompanied by 
Old Hans and some other Hottentots, he gaily took leave, and set 
out for his new abode: et — j)one subit conjux. 
4ith. I soon discovered that my station in the middle of the 
kraal subjected me to the continued interruption of a crowd of 
visitors, who, not content with satisfying their curiosity by examin- 
ing every thing belonging to the waggons, felt that their appetite 
also ought to be satisfied; so that, from the one cause or the other, 
neither I, nor my men, found any ti me for attending to the affairs of 
* The figure of the Keeri, or K'lrri, may be seen in Plate 10. 
