1811. 
AN ASTONISHED CROWD OF KORAS. 
441 
one of them struck a Geelvisch, (Yellow fish)*: and I borrowed it of 
him to finish the colouring of a drawing made at the Sack river. As 
soon as this was done, I called him to the waggon, to take his fish again; 
when, catching a sight of the drawing, he was in an instant struck 
with a most laughable degree of astonishment, and for a minute 
stood literally dumb with wonder ; gazing at it with mouth and eyes 
wide open. At last, without taking off his eyes from the object, he 
called aloud to his companions to come and see. The astonishment 
now became general, a crowd gathered round, and their various 
modes of expressing surprise were highly entertaining. None 
having ever imagined the possibility that objects could be so imi- 
tated by art as to exhibit the color and appearance of life, they 
seemed to believe that it had been done by magic ; while others, 
supposing it to be the fish itself, fastened upon the paper, enquired 
where was the wound where it had been struck. Nothing could be 
more amusing than the curious look of incredulity and amazement 
exhibited in their countenances, when they beheld the back of the 
drawing, and felt the thinness of what they had thought to be a 
solid fish. There was but one way in which the mystery could be 
cleared up to them ; and but one mode of explanation which could 
be rendered at all comprehensible to their simple minds : I showed 
them the colors and pencils ; and in their presence laid some of 
the same tint on a piece of paper. After this they all retired satis- 
fied and greatly pleased ; and continued for a long while talking 
with each other on the wonder they had just seen ; and possibly in 
such a manner, the acquisition of ideas perfectly new, might excite 
in them for the time at least, an encreased activity in the faculty of 
consideration, and reflection. 
llth. By a trigonometrical measurement, I ascertained the 
mean breadth of the Yellow River at this spot, which is just below the 
mouth of the Maap, to be seven hundred and forty-five feet ; being 
Cuprinus aaiem, 
3 L 
