285 



heavens, it split into numerous branches, widely diverging 

 from each other ; and these horizontal coruscations extended 

 sometimes to an astonishing distance. 



" At length the storm burst directly over our heads. The 

 lightning now became incessant ; the heavens seemed all on 

 fire; the thunder rolled in one continued peal; and the 

 rain descended in torrents, which, collecting in our path, 

 threatened to sweep us off our feet. During this uproar of 

 the elements, every flash was followed by a momentary 

 blindness. We pursued our way under the full conviction 

 that the torrent which poured so unmercifully on us would 

 swell the Sunday River to such a height as must detain us 

 for some days on its bank. Nothing could equal the 

 despondency caused by this reflection but the joy we felt, 

 on arriving at the river, to find the ford still practicable. 

 We dashed with all haste across the stream; and were 

 preparing to congratulate each other on our miraculous 

 escape, when our progress was arrested by an obstacle the 

 more provoking as it was entirely unexpected. The 

 opposite bank, at all times steep and difficult, had become so 

 slippery in consequence of the rain, that our jaded cattle 

 were unable to drag the waggon out of the river; and we 

 were obliged, after a great deal of goading and flogging, to 

 leave it all night moored to the bank, sunk over the wheels 

 in the stream. 



" We pitched our tent close to the ford ; but the rain still 

 continuing rendered it impossible to strike a fire; and we 

 were compelled to lie down, wet and hungry, on mattrasses 

 that had been just dragged out of the river. We turned 

 out at the dawn in a state approaching to torpidity; but 

 after running about for some time, to set our blood in 

 motion, we had the consolation to find that our health had 

 sustained no material injury. We kindled a fire, and 

 presently sat down to a breakfast of Springbock's liver, gar- 

 nished with salt pork, which a fast of twenty-four hours 

 rendered uncommonly palatable. 



" With the aid of a good-natured boor who was travelling 

 the same road, we got the waggon hauled out of the river, 



