Fourth Journey (MS 107/3/1-2)
24th August 1779
transcription
[24th August 1779]
24 august
term 50 - 66 - 56 z:w: even. door den dag sterke z:o: passaat
dingsdag, schoon weer van nagt fris gedawt.
maakten klarigheid om de rivier op te gaan, de bosjemans quamen met laag water door de rivier by ons, twe hunner waren van de jagt terug gekomen dog hadden niets gevangen, sy klaagden seer over honger ons volk en wy selfs niet veel hebbende also wy onse overige 8 schapen wilden sparen, ging ik vissen en wy vongen tamelyk harders en moggels, egter niet overvloedig voor ons allen. de bosjemans vroegen twe veldschoenen van elands leer al gedragen van ons volk daar sy het haair met een klip afvreven, bradeden en op aten: gaf hen enige vis en tabak; een van ons volk een dode noord caper opgespoeld gevonden hebbende, gaf hen de tyding er van, daar sy sig seer over verheugden, sy seiden ons dat sy er morgen na toe souden gaan, en niet met ons de rivier op, also sy de grootste honger leden. onse hottentotten nog niet van de jagt te rug gekomen; setteden de schuit op de wagen, om morgen vroeg de rivier op te gaan. konde de rivier wel opseilen, dog wisten niet waar de wagen uit sou spannen
translation
[24th August 1779]
24 August
Thermometer: 50-66-56
Light south-west wind.
A south east trade-wind throughout the day.
Fine weather. Heavy dew last night.
Tuesday We made ready to go up river. At low tide the Bushmen came over the river to us. Two of them had returned from hunting but had caught nothing. They complained much of hunger. Because we and our group did nothave much ourselves, and because we wished to spare our remaining 8 sheep, I went fishing and we caught a fair quantity of harders and mud-mullets. It was not however, abundant enough for us all. The Bushmen asked for two used velskoen made of eland hide from our group, at which they rubbed the hair off with a stone and then grilled and ate them. Gave them some fish and tobacco. One of our party who had found a dead, washed-up right whale, told them about it, upon which they rejoiced greatly. They said they would go to it tomorrow and would not come with us up river since they were suffering the greatest hunger. Our Hottentots have still not come back from the hunt. Placed the boat on the wagon in order to go up river tomorrow. I could very easily sail up river but would not know where the wagons had made camp.