1812. 
UNLUCKY REPORTS. 
525 
In order to convince him, and the settlement, by obhging acts 
on my part, how much more ready I was to meet their wishes than 
they mine, I, in two instances, at his and the missionaries' request, 
gave up a bargain I had made, one with a Kora, and the other with 
a Briqua, for the exchange of one of my guns, for oxen to replace 
those which had been lost in the Bushman country, near Buffelbout ; 
and which were much needed to complete my teams. Their objec- 
tions were founded on a wish to prevent, as much as possible, any 
person possessing fire-arms excepting themselves. My compliance 
with their request on this head, was a sacrifice made to com- 
plaisance. 
31st. Inspired with alacrity at the near prospect of departure, 
we gaily continued the necessary preparations ; little suspecting that 
my troubles were still lurking in ambush close at hand, and had 
not, as I flattered myself, retired to a distance. 
February 1st. They first made their re-appearance in the 
form of reports, which reached Klaarwater this afternoon, through 
some of the people who had just arrived from a Hottentot 
kraal, situated at a distance down the river. Some stated that 
Africaander, whose mischievous character has already been men- 
tioned, had advanced a considerable way above the Waterfall, 
with the intention of taking up his abode among the Briquas ; 
while others assured us that he was actually lying on our road 
with all his gang, apparently having my waggons and property 
for his object. It was, besides, ascertained to be true that the 
three men who were on their way from Klaarwater to visit 
Captain Kok's father a Halt-Hottentot boor in thie Kamies- 
berg in Namaqualand, had been robbed of their guns by this 
freebooter. 
This unlucky report had a very visible effect upon my party, 
and raised all their fears, while it threw a sudden damp on my 
own spirits. Not that I had myself any apprehensions on account 
of this vagabond, against whom we should still be more thau 
strong enough, provided we stood by eacli other ; but that the ter- 
