NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS 
135 
his ambuscades and “ knew how to avoid the bullets by dodging 1 ,” van Riebeeck 
turned to artificial defences for better security. 
The defences were twofold. Towards the close of 1659 a fence of poles 
was built from the sea-shore near the mouth of the Salt River to Jan Reiniersz’ 
house at the junction of the Liesbeeck and the spruit of the Salt River; 
beyond that point the Liesbeeck was cleared of weeds and the banks made 
steeper, while from the Kromme Boom the fence was begun again and ran 
for 600 roods up to the primeval forest which in those days clothed the 
eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It was this fence which was strengthened 
by the famous blockhouses : Kyckuyt on a high sand-hill near the sea-shore 
“between Salt River and the beach”; Keert de Koe between Salt River and 
the Liesbeeck ; Hond den Bui at some point nearer the forest. 
a. B. H. 
1 Journal, ni. 27. 
10 
