1812. SECOND VISIT TO THE ASBESTOS MOUNTAINS. 535 
Hesse, in order that it might be known at Cape Town how I was 
circumstanced. This letter, together with the former two, were the 
cause of some endeavours by those friends to afford me rehef by 
engaging a party of Hottentots for my service; endeavours indicative 
of the most genuine friendship, but of which, as they did not 
succeed, I was never informed till after my return to Cape Town. 
Klaas Berends took his departure in the evening, his party con- 
sisting of twelve men ; which number, but not less, is considered 
sufficient to secure themselves against any open attack from the 
Bushmen, yet is not strong enough as a defence against the Caffres. 
They were obliged to undertake the journey with oxen only, as the 
river was at this time impassable for waggons, and would continue 
in that state until the next dry season. 
I was careful to conceal from this party my intended visit to 
the Kloof settlement, so that no information or message might, 
by their means, arrive there before me, to counteract or obstruct 
the business which took me to that place. 
In the afternoon, Philip was despatched to Groote-doorn, to 
fetch one of my teams of oxen ; and with these he arrived at 
Klaarwater about eight o'clock in the evening, when they were 
made fast to. the waggons, in order to be ready at hand early in the 
morning. 
During the afternoon, there fell the heaviest shower that had 
been witnessed this season ; yet so partial was its effect that Leeuwen- 
kuil received only a few drops, while at Klaarwater it poured down 
in such torrents, that almost instantly every hollow or flat place 
became a pond. It was mingled with hailstones half an inch in 
diameter. 
\Ath. That there might be nothing to delay us on the road, two 
sheep were killed and salted for this journey. Gert and Hannah 
were left at home, in charge of the little waggon and our remain- 
ing goods. I set out before noon, taking with me Philip and Speel- 
man ; with Kees as ox -leader. 
Till we had passed the ridge, and got out of sight of the village, 
my men had been kept in total ignorance, not only of the object of 
this journey, but of the place to which we were going : they were, 
