18J1. 
GROOTE rONTEIN.— 
POWER OF HOSPITALITY. 
463 
18^^. After a due examination of the place, Grooie Fontein was 
pronounced to be an eligible spot for a new station, or out-post, for 
the Klaarwater people ; and it was decided that Adam Kok, on his 
return home, should make the necessary arrangements, and appoint 
a fit person as overseer of the new settlement, which, I proposed to 
Mr. Anderson, that the missionaries should call by the name of 
Janszs Fountain, after the artless, honest missionary who first set it 
on foot. Its latitude, as determined by the meridian-altitude of a 
star, is 28° 49' 23" S.* On the top of the mountain an excellent 
spot was found, which might easily be converted into corn-land. It 
abounded in water ; and not fewer than ten different springs were 
discovered within a very short distance of each other, the waters of 
which uniting, formed a rill that trickled down the Kloof and joined 
the springs below. 
The Bushmen, to whom in some degree the place belonged, 
as they were the inhabitants of the spot, or at least reside almost 
constantly in the vicinity, professed themselves glad at having the 
Klaarwater people for neighbours ; and were perfectly ready to 
admit them and their cattle to the free use of the water and sur- 
rounding pasture ; promising, at the same time, to conduct themselves 
as good friends towards the new comers. They felt, indeed, in the 
abundance of provisions which they had received from us during 
our stay, a persuasive argument, and powerful inducement, for being- 
sincere in this promise. 
They all exhibited, but the old man more remarkably, a proof 
of the good effects of our hospitality ; and gave me the opportunity 
of witnessing how wonderfully and rapidly their appearance is im- 
proved by a plentiful supply of food. I should, without such proof, 
have thought it incredible, that so great an alteration could possibly 
take place in four days. On their first visit to us, the skin of their 
bodies hung in large wrinkles ; and the meagre emaciated state in 
which we found them, excited our greatest commiseration. But 
* November 15. 1811, at Groote Fontein, the observed altitude of 7 P<;^a.s7, when 
on the meridian, was ^1° 3' 17". 
