228 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXVI. 



the sluggish character of the stream, that it was some 

 time before he could even determine the course ; 

 pieces of wood which were thrown in remaining 

 almost stationary on the surface. An exploring 

 party of the emigrants, under a boor named Bronk- 

 horst, subsequently visited this water from Triechard's 

 camp, and described its breadth to be more than a 

 mile, from which circumstance, combined with its 

 proximity to the head of the Vaal River, it is pro- 

 bably merely a lagoon.* 



I shall not tax the patience of those of my read- 

 ers, who may not be votaries of the chase, by a 

 repetition of hunting scenes. We returned to our 

 camp on the 14th, laden with spoils, having also 

 fully established the possibility of dispensing, 

 even to cooking apparatus, with every article of 

 baggage. Carrying nothing but the raiment on 

 our backs, the saddle served for a pillow, and the 

 horse-rug for a blanket. Our tent was the starry 

 canopy of heaven ; we drank of the waters of the 

 crystal stream, and our viands were the produce 

 of our trusty rifles. It is said that the epicures of 

 Rome esteemed the trunk of an elephant an extra- 

 ordinary luxury ; and descending to more modern 



* In Isaac's Travels in Eastern Africa, vol. i. p. 219, the 

 author, speaking of a paity of Chaka's warriors who had just 

 returned from a foray, says, '• In this expedition the Zooloos 

 penetrated north-west of Delagoa Bay. They arrived at an im- 

 mense river, or lake, and travelled on its banks for a fortnight, in 

 an easterly direction, with a river to cross, but could not find any 

 thing like a fording place. They met with some yellow people 

 on horses, who compelled them to return." 



