1811. 
POOR GERT. 
477 
assistant, to relieve me from the more laborious department of it, 
was now very sensibly felt. 
This day was occupied in replacing the great chests into the 
waggon, and in duly adjusting all domestic affairs ; a part of a 
traveller's business too important to be neglected, although very 
far from being an interesting or agreeable occupation in the midst 
of pursuits of science : but it was soon discovered to be, in my 
present situation, a duty of the first importance, and one which con- 
sumed a large and valuable portion of my time. 
Speelman and Philip went with the little waggon to Eland's 
Valley, to carry home Hans Lucas's game ; and, as we were in want 
of yokes, Philip had orders to remain there with the waggon till he 
had cut a quantity of wood for that purpose. As Speelman was to 
resume his charge of my oxen, Gert was therefore the only one left 
at home ; and where his services were indispensable in keeping 
watch over the dried meat, which, until the waggon returned, we 
were obliged to keep in the open air, with no other security than a 
covering of dry hides. 
Qlst. I was suddenly awoke this morning by the report of 
a gun, and immediately heard Gert's voice by the side of my wag- 
gon. It being in his usual tone, and myself but just roused from 
sleep, I at first did not clearly understand what was said ; but 
judging from the firing of a gun that he had shot some bird, 
which he brought to show me, I hastily put on part of my clothes, 
and came out of the waggon. What I suffered at the moment 
I saw him, and the acute and distressing sensation which over- 
whelmed me, has made an impression which, even now, is not ' 
effaced. His words were, " Help ! help, sir ! the gun is burst : my 
hand 's in pieces !" 
So unprepared as my mind was at the time, for any thing of 
this kind, it could not withstand the mournful shock which the 
sight of poor Gert occasioned; and I would that this unhappy 
moment never again presented itself before my imagination. It 
is one, and perhaps the only one during my journey, which I have 
to reflect on, with the painful feeling of my travels in Africa having 
