Page:Monthly scrap book, for May.pdf/5

SCRAP BOOK. 5 We traversed the wilds and mountains without encountering any thing particularly worthy of re- mark, and arrived in safety at the threshold of the puffy but good humoured Hendrick Groning He was considerably more active and industrious than his neighbours, and had amassed a decent property through his superior agricultural knowledge and general management. He had paid several visits to the Cape, could read and write, and was upon the whole infinitely superior to the generality of those who dwelt in his district. He cleaved to the ways of his forefathers, wore as much clothes, and smoked as much tobacco as any genuine Hollander on earth. He calculated a man's sense and honesty by the love he bore to the herb of his idolatry, and deemed him a rank traitor or hypocritical villain who would not quaff cup for cup with him throughout the day. The month I spent in his house was chiefly consumed in drinking, smoking, dozing, and listening to the clumsy, matter-of-fact, every-day tales and traditions, which Hendrick's bulky rib recounted as absolute wonders. Hendrick's passions were never roused by liquor; it only his natural appetite for sleep, tobacco, and silence. had very little of the young people's company; it was at a season of the year when the boors can do little work out of doors, and Hendrick and I had no other method of amusing ourselves than by getting tipsy, sleeping in our chairs until thirst awoke us, and drinking and smoking again, until slumber again stole upon us unawares.