Chap. XXXIV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 



299 



dreary wet night of the 28th, as we had spent its 

 predecessor, without either fuel or shelter. 



The next morning brought us to the scene of my 

 bivouac on Christmas night, and according to my 

 prediction, we experienced no little difficulty in 

 discovering a spot where the capriciously winding 

 river might be crossed. The interval was turned 

 to account by Cceur de Lion in cooking provisions, 

 a man having been sent in advance to collect fuel, 

 which, however, proved to be abundant. At lengtii 

 the exploring parties returned — one of them having 

 discovered a practical ford two miles higher up the 

 stream, whilst the other had fallen in, to the west- 

 ward, with the skeletons of several horses, together 

 with some fresh human remains, which, from the 

 dimensions of the crania, they declared to be those 

 of Dutch Boors. A favourite wheel-ox, that had 

 fallen sick the preceding day, being now vuiable to 

 proceed farther, Claas, at his own request, was per- 

 mitted to put the unfortunate beast out of its 

 misery — a task which he accomplished in five 

 clumsy shots. 



The perpendicular character of the bank rendered 

 a skid, or as it is termed by the Colonists, a rem- 

 scoan, necessary upon each hind wheel, in addition 

 to the drag-chain ; but even after this precaution, 

 the weight of the vehicles caused them to descend 

 with frightful velocity. Safely arrived at the bot- 

 tom, the long waggon presently settled down to the 

 axle in a quicksand, the team also sinking to their 

 bellies ; and it was not until our remaining supply 



