Chap. XIV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 1 1 5 



Scarcely were the oxen unyoked, when the clouds, 

 which had been collecting for some hours, burst at 

 once upon our devoted heads. Deafening claps of 

 thunder peeled above us, preceded by forked and 

 vivid lightning, which cast upon the surrounding 

 landscape a lurid and almost incessant glare. The 

 windows of heaven were literally opened, and a 

 pelting pitiless deluge descended, which in an in- 

 stant extinguished the fire, and put an end to all 

 culinary operations. We, however, succeeded in 

 obtaining a little milk from the village, and in 

 a few minutes Morpheus strewing his poppies over 

 us, we ceased to trouble our heads about the, state 

 of the weather, or our soaking supperless condition. 



A tranquil morning succeeded the most tem- 

 pestuous of nights. The inhabitants of the kraal 

 were anxious that we should shoot a rhinoceros, 

 which they pretended to have seen at no great 

 distance ; but although we sacrificed one-half of 

 our raiment in the attempt to oblige them, the 

 animal was no where to be found. The road still 

 wound among the mountains ; three hours travel- 

 ling brought us to a kraal at no great distance from 

 the ancient town of Kurricane, in which Mr. 

 Campbell found the Baharootzis about ten years 

 ago. This once populous city w'as destroyed by 

 Moselekatse, and the inhabitants scattered in va- 

 rious directions. Here the guides declared it was 

 the king's command that we should tarry until the 

 following day, when he expected to see us. But as 

 the royal lodge was still far distant, we obstinately 



