18 Diary of a Journey to ike Amaquas. 



We then reached a mountain called Klipfontyn, because a 

 stream of very fine water issued therefrom. This mountain 

 causes a very remarkable echo, which is repeated several 

 times ; and near the hill is a valley of a fine rich clayey soil 

 well covered with grass, but supplied only with salt water. 

 We continued our journey to the top of the said mountain, 

 ;ind after that to a sandy and stony hill, which we ascended with 



uch trouble. Before us then lay an extensive plain stretch- 

 ing E. and W. along the mountain towards the sea coast: we 

 took bearings of the sea from a distance of seven miles, and 

 then descended the mountain which sloped very gently till we 

 came under the Dassenberg, also named on account of the 

 many dasjes which keep amongst the rocks thereof. 



At the foot of this mountain we required to encamp, he- 

 rause we had had in the course of the day deep, heavy, and sandy 

 roads, by which our draught oxen had been much fatigued, and 

 rendered unable to proceed over the great height which lay 

 before us. At this halting place the grass was uncommonly 

 fine, and there was good water supplied by several running 

 streams. The hills were abundantly provided with firewood. 



The Commander in walking round the hill in the afternoon 

 shot a klipspringer, as also a hare, having a mouth like a 

 jackal, and a tail like a fox; the flesh was well-flavoured and 

 white. — The weather fine. 



Saturday, 15th. — At seven o'clock we left our encampment, 

 and directed our course towards a stony height, along a moun- 

 tain, on which grew some trees. After we crossed the height 

 we arrived at a sandy plain overgrown with a variety of 

 shrubs ; and the mountains, behind which is situated a valley 

 called Hoogeboomen Valley, because two high trees are found 

 there. The mountain was easy of ascent, but of very dan- 

 gerous descent, on account of the height and steepness 

 of the rocks. Those we passed, however, without injury 

 either to wagons or carts. We then continued our route to 

 the valley of the high trees, and from thence to the Olifant's 

 River, which flowed in two branches, and proceeded along 

 a bend of it till we came to a ford, where we halted ; as 

 that was the place where we had to cross to the opposite side. 



This river springs from the mountains which were situated 

 to the eastward of us, and pursues its course to the westward 

 in a tortuous form till it discharges its water into the sea. It 

 has its name from the elephants which are found there often 

 in great numbers. Its banks are clothed with a species of 

 willow, and with thorn trees of uncommon size. At our 

 rusting place there was an abundant supply of grass. We 

 had travelled 3 miles and 35 minutes. 



(To be continued-) 



