227 
CHAP. IX. 
Journey to Blinkwater. ■—Beacon Hill. — Intercourse with Mr. Van Royer 
and the People. — Arrival at Philipton. —Venomous Serpents. — Instances 
of their Power over their Prey. — Intercourse with the People of the Settle¬ 
ment. — Gratifying Effects of the Visit from the Governor of the Colony. — 
Sunday at the Kat River. — Farewell View of the Settlement. — Knapp’s 
Hope in Caffreland. — Site of Hr. Vanderkemp’s earliest Labours among 
the Caffres. — King William’s Town. — Agreeable Intercourse with Mr. 
Brownlee and Jan Tzatzoe. — Visit to Peelton. — Effects of the Labours 
and Influence of Mr. Birt. — Journey to Graham’s Town—State of the 
People. —■ Port Elizabeth. — Visits to Uitenhage and Bethelsdorp. — Hospi¬ 
tality of the People at Hankey. — Their Recollections of the Past. — Re¬ 
turn to Cape Town. -—Review of the Events and Objects of our Journey. 
—Reflections on the State and Prospects of the Coloured Population of the 
Colony. — Return to England. 
On the 20th of March we left Olive Grove, crossed the 
Great Fish River, ascended a long and rather difficult hill, 
and then entered a vast plain dotted over with large conical¬ 
shaped anthills, and here and there a few mimosas. Caffre 
and Fingoe herdsmen were tending the flocks which grazed 
upon the plain. Travelling over a slightly undulated tract of 
country, often park-like in the singular clustering trees and 
rich tall grass that covered its surface, and bordered by ranges 
or groups of wooded mountains, we passed within a short 
distance of the Water Kloof, the scene of one of the most 
sanguinary conflicts which took place betwixt the British 
troops and the natives during the late war. On the morning 
of the 22nd we reached the military post at Blinkwater, and 
were welcomed by Mr. Van Royer, the missionary who 
resides in. that part of the place called Tidmanton. 
The chapel in this place had been used by the military as 
a commissariat store; but a temporary building, for the 
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