CHAPTER XXXI - JOHAN BAX, ENTITLED VAN HERENTALS, GOVERNOR, INSTALLED 14TH MARCH 1676, DIED 29TH JUNE 1678: HENDRIK CRUDOP, SECUNDE, ACTING COMMANDER, 29TH JUNE 1678 TO 12TH OCTOBER 1679

Summary

The Netherlands were still at war with France, but as no fear was entertained of an attack upon the Cape by a hostile fleet, the attention of the authorities could be directed to some other object than the completion of the castle. The settlement was still in a condition of blockade, inasmuch as Hottentots from a distance could not bring cattle to the fort for sale, through fear of being intercepted by the Cochoquas. The farmers at Rondebosch and Wynberg were pressing their claims for protection, and it was necessary to do something to allay their apprehensions of Gonnema making such a raid upon them as he had recently made upon the people of Schacher and Kuiper at the Tigerberg. In the open field they felt confident that the whole Cochoqua tribe would not dare to attack them, but their cattle might easily be swept off and their houses be burnt by a sudden foray on a dark night. To prevent such a disaster the redoubts Kyk uit and Keert de Koe, which had long since fallen into decay, were now rebuilt with stone, and parties of horsemen were stationed in them for the purpose of patrolling along the outermost farms.

A few days after Governor Bax assumed office, intelligence reached the castle from Hottentots-Holland that three burghers, who were so foolhardy as to venture across the mountains, had been murdered by Bushmen at the Breede river, where they were shooting seacows.