INTERIOR OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, 831 
young antelopes. It was however not practicable now to return several 
days’ journey, in order to purchase fresh horses; and having no alter- 
native, we left our station, the Rhinosterkop, again, and proceeded in 
a northerly direction towards the Rhinoster River, as being the nearest 
station now in advance of us. 
Travelling over a level country, of a grass-like vegetation, for a con- 
siderable length, we beheld northwards in front of us a chain of detached 
mountains, rising, as we went on, successively higher above the northern 
horizon, till we arrived near the banks of the Nama Hari of Captain 
Harris’s map, or the Rhinoster River of the emigrants, having travelled 
fifteen miles that afternoon. We beheld those mountains still in front 
I just opposite the river, where we halted that night. 
The Rhinoster River runs in a very deep and narrow bed, being 
fringed below in its channel by venerable trees of the fine Salix Gariepina, 
Burch., or Willow of the Orange River; but on account of the banks 
= being steep and high, the top of those trees scarcely raise their head 
{ above the level of the valley through which that river has cut its deep 
course. Its crystal, clear, and constant running stream, during the dry - 
Season, is a proof that it comes from a far distance; most likely its - 
Sources are in the much elevated north-westerly ridges of the Drakas- 
bergen. 
It was difficult the next day to find a suitable drift for fording that 
river, as its deep and narrow bed continues for miles, similar to that 
of the Caledon River. Having travelled for a considerable length down, 
along the left side of that river, we came to a suitable place, where we 
safely passed to the opposite side. During the time that we forded 
the stream, our dogs took pleasure in starting coveys of pheasants 
| (Francolinus Swainsonii, Sm.) out of the bushes along the banks of the 
E river. They were abundant here, and we shot several of them. How- - 
ever, one of our dogs, who continued barking, made us believe that - 
there were more pheasants. He started into a dense bush when we. 
eame near to him, bringing out in his mouth a snake, of the kind they 
call * Spugg-slang," or “ Spit-snake.” They are considered very poi- 
sonous, and the poor dog being wounded in the struggle | with that 
venomous reptile, showed dangerous symptoms soon afterwards. He v 
began to stagger along the path which we travelled, and lost his sight. _ 
It was fortunate that we had fresh milk at hand, of which we gave _ 
him repeatedly to drink, with which valuable medicine we arrested _ 
