i 



Discovery In the Afrkcut Cuntlnent. J99 



his predatory band entirely routed, to the salvation of the 

 Caffre nations, who would there is every reason to believe, if 

 unsupported, have been totally destroyed. This stream is re- 

 presented as very beautiful, maintaining a canal-like appearance 

 by its evenness of width, unlike most of the rivers to the 

 westward, having but little jungle, but plenty of fine timber, 

 and it could easily be led out, if requisite, for the purposes of 

 irrigation. 



The Omtongata succeeds as next in consequence, at about 

 10 miles in advance, and the greater and lesser Omgazis, the 

 Mogassie of the traveller William van Reenen, follows at 

 another advance of 20 miles, at the mouth of which, according 

 to report, there is a fine but small inlet or Bay. 



A very few miles farther brings us to the Omzimvooboo, the 

 Simvowoe of Van Reenen. The native name is translateable 

 as the Great Sea Cow river, of which animal it is full, and is 

 the St. JoHx's river of our hydrographical maps. It is one of 

 the largest streams on the coast, rises in the Ingale or Snowy 

 Mountains, the great range already so frequently mentioned ; 

 its eastern source is called OmsimclafF, and it is joined by five 

 very considerable branches from the westward. This stream 

 forms a mighty barrier, or rather gulf, between the eastern 

 and western territories, and has along its whole course of 

 above 100 miles direct but two or three passes, from the steep- 

 ness of its rocky banks, which near the mouth are from 1,500 

 to 2,000 feet high ; in fact, it appears that some extraordinary 

 convulsion has here split a solid mountain in two, to allow the 

 escape of its impetuous waters. A road, with much difficulty, 

 has been made by the indefatigable CafFre Traders from the 

 Colony down this awful deep, and wagons now easily pass 

 through it, on their way to and from the Colony to Natal. At 

 its estuary the width is about 400 yards, spreading inside into 

 a splendid and perfectly sheltered basin. It appears to be the 

 most capable of entrance of all the rivers to the eastward, and 

 Lieut. King of the Royal Navy, who minutely examined it in 

 a boat, had determined to enter it with his vessel, but death, 

 unfortunately for him and the cause of civilization, prevented 

 this important project being carried into effect. The Omzim- 

 vooboo enters the sea in lat. 31. 30. and Ion. 29. 25. 



The inhabitants of this country belong to the race called 

 Amapoxdas, whose territory formerly reached to the river 

 Omtavoof, 7 miles beyond St. John's, but now, in consequence 

 of the conquests of Chaka, few arc found beyond the last 

 named stream. They are a superior race to the Caff'res, al- 

 though evidently derived from the same common origin, more 

 cleanly in their residences and persons, greater cultivators of 

 the soil, and have in former times been a very powerfid nation. 



