1811. 
HOTTENTOTS AND THE COMPASS. 
467 
that, although, as they knew, I was not in the least acquainted 
with the road we were about to take, that little box showed that 
Klaarwater lay just where that stick pointed to. On this they set 
themselves to consider very attentively where the village was si- 
tuated. Some pointed in one direction, some in another ; and 
it was amusing to observe how much each prided himself upon 
being correct ; this kind of knowledge being, among Hottentots, 
held as an accomplishment, and one which they all endeavour to 
acquire. Those who differed widely from the general bearing, were 
much laughed at, and made the subject of some Hottentot jokes, 
but every thing was said in perfect good humour. 
This little trial of skill afforded us a short diversion, and as 
the most experienced amongst them pointed to the same quarter as 
my stick, the compass was viewed as a most wonderful thing, and 
gained the greatest attention and respect ; while at the same time, 
I came in myself for a share. 
This incident was not forgotten, when some time afterwards I 
had occasion to propose an expedition through an unknown part of 
the country, in which I engaged to show the way. 
The country we passed over this day presented no new or re- 
markable feature ; it was flat and open ; the surface very rocky, 
although covered with grass and shrubs, few of which were new 
to me *, Below the mountain the superstratum every where is 
a deep fertile mould ; but above, and in general all the way to 
Klaarwater, the ground is a hard rock, quite bare in many places, 
or but thinly covered with earth. It would seem, therefore, that the 
soil of the lower country is strictly alluvial, and has been washed 
down from the plains above. 
After travelling two and twenty miles, till a quarter before 
eight, when it began to grow dark, and the rain, which had been 
Olea Chrysocoma 
Reseda dipetala. var P Cat. Geogr. 1828. Gomphocarpus 
Mentha, 2 sp. Bryonia 
Carexjiavescens. B. Cat. Geogr. 1831. 
3 o 2 
