1811. 
AN EXCURSION PROPOSED. — PREPARATIONS. 
379 
As soon as this plan was known, Willem Berends, brother to the 
captain at the Kloof, added himself and his waggon to us with the 
same view : and a party of icomen, wishing to cut mat-rushes, also 
took advantage of the opportunity ; as our numbers would secure 
them from all molestation from the Bushmen. 
'12rd. We struck the tent, and removed the waggons to the 
village. Here I put into the storehouse my large chests, and so 
much of the load as we shotdd not have at present any occasion 
for ; by which means the waggons were greatly lightened, and might 
more easily be dragged over the rugged, uneven, pathless country, 
which it was expected we should have to travel over. 
As it was a district, more especially along the river, known to 
be inhabited by great numbers of Bushmen, a plentiful stock of 
tobacco and dakka was taken, as presents to ensure their friendly 
behaviour. We cast a large supply of bullets, as all joined in the 
intention of hunting ; it being expected by these natives, that, if 
they on their side allowed us unmolested to kill their game, we 
on ours, should give them a share of the produce of our chace. 
It being necessary that Speelman, as huntsman, should be of 
the party, another herdsman was engaged to look after my oxen 
at Elands' Valley, which were still too weak to be used on this 
occasion ; and I therefore hired a team from the captain. A few 
live sheep were taken with us as a reserve, in case our hunting- 
failed ; and, as a preparatory step, one was killed and salted down. 
Philip and Gert were two days employed in grinding corn ; but, 
in all that time, they were unable to produce more than a bushel 
of flour, as the hand-mill was very much out of order, and as little 
calculated for expeditious performance of its duties, as my two 
millers were for their's ; passing half their time in chatting with a 
party of visitors, who came only for what they could get. 
My waggons no sooner arrived at the village, than they were 
surrounded by a crowd of boys and girls. Most of them came 
merely out of curiosity ; but there were some amongst them only 
3 c 2 
