532 
HOTTENTOTS ENGAGED, 
6—9 Feb. 
to one degree of latitude*, and thirty miles travelled each day, I calcu- 
lated that we could arrive at Graaffreynet in eleven or twelve days, 
provided every thing went on aright. Under a conscientious convic- 
tion of this, I assured every one that we could reach the borders of the 
Colony, meaning Plettenherg s Baaken, in a week. Although, from 
unexpected delays, and other unforeseen causes, the length of this 
journey proved very different from my calculations ; yet I succeeded, 
by these assurances, in gaining the confidence of Speelman and 
Philip, who were, moreover, exceedingly pleased at the expectation 
of re-visiting a place with which they were well acquainted ; par- 
ticularly the former, who had made a journey from Cape Town to 
Graaffreynet but twelve months before. Gert and Hannah were to 
remain at Klaarwater, to take care of my waggons and oxen. The 
remarkably pleasant weather which we had just at this time, had 
certainly a favorable influence, by giving us the prospect of plenty of 
water and pasture by the way. 
1th. Philip and Gert were sent off to Groote-doorn, to recruit 
for men ; or rather, it might be said, they went vested with full 
powers to explain my plan, and treat in my name with the inhabi-r 
tants of that place. 
8/^. On the next day these plenipotentiaries returned ; having 
signed the preliminaries of a treaty with their Uncle Hans and 
Cousin Hendrik. 
In the meantime I had engaged at Klaarwater several others ; 
and had nearly obtained the full complement. Those fears which 
operated so strongly against a journey into the unknown parts of the 
interior, were now not in the least excited by the proposal of a trip 
to the Colony, as this seemed to accord exactly with their wishes. 
9ih. Hans Lucas and Hendrik Abrams came to make further 
arrangements, and appeared not only willing to go, but were even 
pleased at, and desirous of, the journey. The former agreed to 
* See the note at page 90. 
