Johannes
Hendrikus (John Henry) van Vledder in South Africa (Letter to his
brother Max)
Assuming
that you have no clear picture of the life I live here in the Colony,
I intend to share with you some of my experiences, some of which are
quite popular here. There is so much to tell that I could easily keep
you from sleeping for a few nights but that will have to wait for a
more suitable occasion.
Three
days later I found myself with a cart, drawn by four horses and
stacked with all kinds of goods, luxury articles etc. etc. on my way
to the unknown. We started at eleven that morning, passed precipices,
crossed dangerous mountains and forded rivers with strong currents
when finally, at about nine that evening we approached the first boer
settlement, muddy, dead tired and half broken by the bumping of our
cart.
Because
the cart was so full with merchandise we had not brought any bedding,
so my mattress was a Kafbaal and I used two of the same for blankets. Because
of the unhealthy dew, which is very chilly at night, and the tarp one
has to lie under, even well covered, it was a very cold night and it
took a stiff walk through the wilderness around me to get warm because
the cold had me firmly in its grip. At four the boy had made tea,
which warmed me some while I drank it without sugar or milk.
I
was stiff with cold when at six the sun emerged from behind the
horizon. I soon warmed up, partially by the jolting of our cart.
Later,
when we had bought some sheep, we had to take turns keeping watch all
night looking out for jackals and cats, which show up only at night,
jump upon a sheep, tear open the breast of the animal and feed without
being noticed. When keeping watch, large fires must be kept burning
around the sheep, guns and traps must be placed at different locations
and it is important to have a loaded gun by one’s side.
One
more small fact about snakes and bees I want to tell you about. The
first can mostly be found as “Puff adder” in gorges or on the
banks of stagnant water. The name Puff adder is given to it because it
attacks people by striking backwards and planting its fangs in a man’s
shoulder, a bite that is lethal. When you stand in front of it the
snake is harmless. Because most people forget or do not know this,
they often stand behind the snake and get stricken mortally. I will
not elaborate on other snakes as you have read enough about them.
Instead I will tell you about a species of bees that can be found in
every nest. When emptying a nest it is important to watch out for it
because it is very dangerous with its sting, which is very long. The
first impression one gets is that it is fleeing but that is only to
get time to extend its sting to the full length of a dagger, come back
and kill a person instantly by stinging right into the brain. I could
go on describing more of these remarkable creatures but that would
take too much space and it would be better if you could come over and
have a look for yourself so I can get you acquainted with various
kinds of vermin. It is almost time for dinner now so I have to
conclude and keep many more encounters for a next occasion. There
is however, another story I have to tell you. It is about my encounter
with ostriches. On one of my journeys I met a boer who sold ostrich
feathers. As these are usually sold when still on the bird it is
custom to ride on horseback with the owner to the camp to assess their
quality. I happened to see one of these birds on her
eggs while the male kept watch. I fell a little behind when
suddenly I noticed that I had strayed close to the nest. The next
moment the male was chasing me. Beak open and wings spread he ran
after me and I realised that the speed of my horse was no match for
the bird’s. Fortunately the boer saw what happened and he managed to
divert the bird’s attention from me, which is not too difficult
because these birds know their owner and will never harm them.
When we left the camp the man told me that a few weeks ago the
bird had killed one of his boys. It had chased the victim, who had
stumbled after which the ostrich had used its cat-like claws to rip
open the boy’s back from the neck to his bottom and kick him. Yet
this animal can be stopped in a moment. A blow on the neck can kill
it, a jump from a low fence, a large boulder or hitting a rock can
break its leg like glass.
Although
I haven’t told you one percent of what I have gone through, I have
no more time to write it down. You have no idea how hard my life has
been. No wonder I fell ill after three months, unfit to endure these
hardships any longer. My
condition grew worse and worse and finally I was forced to leave for
Cape Town to recover there. The money I had made was used up for this;
Fifty pounds is not much when one is ill and unemployed and has to
stay in an expensive home, pay the doctor and must take all kinds of
medication. The doctors said that the unhealthy climate and my nights
in the open air had done me in. After staying in Cape Town for two
months I left for Johannesburg where I have recovered entirely and
have a good job. Will you please write to me how you are doing? I hope
you are doing as well as I do. I am very happy and have no worries.
Because I do not know whether you are at home or not, I will send this
letter to mother. Accept my greetings and keep faith in me.
Your
loving brother Jan
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