334 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXXVII. 



In the course of this day's journey, which oc- 

 cupied nine hours, we crossed the Reit river, and 

 were rejoined by Frederick, who reported that he 

 had seen the remnant of our flock safe in the hands 

 of a party of Bushmen, whom, although mounted 

 and armed himself, he durst not approach. It was 

 waxing late, when volumes of dust attracted our 

 attention to countless flocks of sheep that were being 

 driven from pasture ; following which, and entering 

 a gorge in the hills, an astounding panorama burst 

 upon the sight. A lone green valley, which stretched 

 between two ranges of rocky hills, lay extended be- 

 fore us, and, covered in every direction with white 

 waggon-tilts, canvas-palls, bell-tents, oxen, horses, 

 sheep, and human beings, literally presented the 

 appearance of the encampment of a goodly army. 

 Having obtained permission from a Dutchman 

 named Humans to unyoke in an unoccupied spot, 

 we again opened our negotie winkel ; but, coming 

 from Moselekatse's country by the forbidden route, 

 every one appeared suspicious of our object, and 

 declined to barter their oxen. The next morning, 

 however (the I2th), being on our journey some 

 miles, we were overtaken by a youth with pack- 

 horses, who came from the emigrant camp pro- 

 vided with monies for the purchase of leaden balls, 

 of which munition, notwithstanding the lavish ex- 

 penditure during the campaign, we had still a 

 plentiful supply. 



Advancing, we passed several filthy kraals of 

 Griquas, under Dam Kok, a hybrid chieftain re- 



