44 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA 



Here I met Captain Codrington, who had lately sold 

 out of the 7th Dragoons. Our march this day lay 

 through a succession of low, undulating hills, richly 

 clothed with a variety of grasses, herbs, and flowers, with 

 here and there large patches of dwarfish evergreens. I 

 had directed my Hottentots to kraal the oxen that night, 

 with the intention of making an early start on the fol- 

 lowing morning, but the herd managed to lose them in 

 tliG thick underwood. They were, however, recovered 

 at an early hour on the following morning, and, having 

 breakfasted, I was about to proceed, when Long, with 

 a face worthy of his name, came up to me with a whole 

 tissue of dire complaints about his personal inconven- 

 iences, the most galling of which appeared to be his 

 having to sleep on the ground in the tent. On my 

 friend's advancing these objections, I saw very plainly 

 that he was not the man for my work, as the life before 

 us was by no means likely to be one of luxury ; so, 

 having made over to him his impedimenta, and paid 

 him his month's wages, I wished him a safe return to 

 Grahamstown. 



It was a lovely day, with a bright blue sky over 

 head, covered with light, fleecy clouds, and the trees 

 and shrubs, freshened by the recent rains, emitted an 

 aromatic perfume. Having proceeded some miles, we 

 commenced ascending the Zuurberg range, where we 

 were met by two wagons from Somerset, laden with 

 oranges for the Grahamstown market, of which I pur- 

 chased several dozen, and found them excellent. The 

 drivers of these wagons informed me that the road in 

 advance was almost impassable, owing to the recent 

 heavy rains. Although their oxen were better than 

 mine, and their wagons lighter by some thoasaind 

 pounds, they had had great difliculty in coming on, and 



