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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 Dr. 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 Orange 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; hut a temporary building, for the Q 2