36 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 
before us, with a most excellent road, by which we were shortly 
conducted to Mynheer De Wilt's. Neither he nor his wife was at 
home ; but we were received by a pretty little girl, his eldest 
daughter, who shewed us to two apartments, in which to our great 
joy, we discovered five good beds. The whole appearance of the 
place was respectable, and impressed us with a favourable opinion 
of our host, in which we were fully confirmed on his arrival. General 
Hall understood Dutch, and through him we were obliged to con- 
verse, which answered every necessary purpose. Our supper at 
length appeared, good in its kind, and abundantly sufficient for 
twenty people. After doing credit to it we retired to our beds. 
October 26. — It rained during the whole of the night and part 
of the morning ; but fortunately cleared up about eight, when we 
were preparing to depart. We had again to pass the Kloff, which 
we did on foot. Mr. Eden and the Major carried their guns, but 
had no sport. I was more fortunate in my botanical pursuits, 
and Mr. Salt made two very beautiful sketches. We were told, it 
would take us but five hours to go to Waggon-maker's Valley, where 
we meant to sleep ; we therefore made more delay than usual, and 
were properly rewarded ; for it was perfectly dark before we ar- 
rived. On driving to the house we found only a slave, who 
informed us that his master did not live there, but at a house a 
short distance off. We desired him to show us the road, and leaving 
our waggons, immediately proceeded to another very good habi- 
tation, where, on opening the door, we discovered Mynheer Wagh at 
supper with another man. Although the Dutch are extremely happy 
to show that hospitality to strangers, which is necessary in a country 
where there are no inns, yet they are ever dissatisfied if they arrive 
