Chap. XXXIV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 303 



positively asserted that a line of bushes, which 

 skirted the remaining proportion of level land, was 

 the Modder Riviere. 



As we gradually descended towards this stream 

 of promise, which ultimately proved to be the 'Gy 

 Koup, or Vet Riviere of the emigrants — rising near 

 the missionary station of Umpukani, and also a 

 tributary to the Likvva — we passed over a low tract 

 about eight or ten miles in extent, strongly impreg- 

 nated with salt, and abounding in lakes and pools. 

 The number of wild animals congregated on this 

 swampy flat almost realized fable; the roads made 

 by their incessant tramp resembling so many well- 

 travelled high ways. At every step incredible herds 

 of bonte-bucks,* bles-bucks, and spring-bucks, with 

 troops of gnoos, and squadrons of the common, or 

 stripeless quagga, were performing their com- 

 plicated evolutions ; and not unfrequently, a knot 

 of ostriches, decked in their white plumes, played 

 the part of general officer and staff, with such strict 

 propriety, as still further to remind the spectator of 

 a cavalry review. Late in the afternoon, we struck 

 into a waggon-track, and crossed the river, by a 

 made road, to a deserted camp of the emigrant 

 farmers, whose temporary reed huts formed so 

 inviting a shelter, that it was resolved to halt for a 

 day — as well for the purpose of Recruiting the 

 oxen, three more of which were unable to proceed 

 from the effects of distemper, as to manufacture a 

 new trek-foiiw, wash our linen, eject the host of 



*Gazella Pi/rjarga. Delineated iu the African Views. 



