1811. 
MAKING A ROAD.— SHEEP STRAYED AWAY. 
455 
and in removing out of the way large blocks of stone, which other- 
wise would have rendered the passage extremely dangerous. This 
work, though performed under an almost broiling sun, was not much 
objected to, either by the Hottentots or by their captain, since what 
was now done would make the kloof safely passable for all who 
should hereafter travel that road. Yet, because the work was one 
for o-eneral advantage, no one had cared even to roll a stone out of 
the way ; each one preferred the risk of overturning his waggon, 
and breaking his own neck, to a day's labour, by which the whole 
community were always in future to be benefitted. Had we not in- 
sisted on returning by this road to Klaarwater, the pass would long 
have remained in its dangerous state ; and without our persuasion 
and encouragement, no one, perhaps, would ever have bestowed his 
time and labour upon it. This circumstance is mentioned with a 
view to exemplify a disposition very common, not only among Hot- 
tentots, but equally frequent in the Cape colony, where the roads, 
with very few exceptions, though daily made use of, are allowed 
to remain from year to year in a state of the greatest neglect, each 
boor getting his waggon over them in the best manner he may be 
able, nor caring for his own risk, or for the neighbour who may be 
obliged to follow his track. 
Early this morning it was discovered that all our sheep had 
strayed away in the course of the night. Without loss of time, 
Speelman, with two other Hottentots, was sent on the search, by 
following their footmarks from out of the fold. 
When evening came, without eitheij'peturning, we began to feel 
,much uneasiness on account of the men, and which continued in- 
creasing all the following day. In these wild, desert, and lawless 
countries, the mind, always ready to feel mistrustful and suspicious 
of treachery, easily takes alarm at every occurrence which may 
wear a dubious look. The Bushmen are immediately suspected; the 
lions, with all the other ferocious animals together, share not a 
tenth of the imputation which falls on these necessitous savages. 
16th. At noon, while we were still expressing great fears that 
the natives had carried off the sheep and murdered our men, Speel- 
