This "Trek"
of nearly 800km was done in "shifts" of 12km each. Each
"shift" took an entire day to complete. Saturdays were
spent repairing the ox wagons, tending to sick livestock as well
as smearing the axles and "wheel rims" of the wagons
with Hippo fat as lubricant. The woman would burn coffee beans
in cast iron pots and cook soap, whilst making candles using Hippo
fat. On Sundays no work except "Call in the Put" was
allowed and neighboring farms were visited for fresh news out
of Europe.
After three months of traveling they arrived at a ridge with clear
water then known in the Dutch language as "Die Witte Wassers
Rante". Today this is known as the Witwatersrand. There they
came across a house built out of mud and thatch with dung floors
called a "Hartebees House".
James enquired from the owner whether he knew of any farms that
were for sale in the area. The farmer living there replied that
his property was for sale for twelve oxen. James then offered
him eight for the farm called Langlaagte. Unfortunately the farmer
declined the offer.
The travel company continued with their
journey and traveled though a pass in the ridge, which had a reddish
tinge known as " De Roode Roort", today knows as the
city of Roodepoort. This city is situated towards the Cashaqni
Mountains (Magalies Mountain Range) on the Western side of Johannesburg. |
