68 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



reason, that our cargo, to reduce the number of packages, 

 was divided into boxes containing from five to six 

 hundred pounds' weight ; thus to get them out of the 

 wagon was no easy matter, but to reload was a question 

 we scarcely liked even to contemplate. 



I have spoken of a gentleman employed in surveying 

 the roads. During my stay at Ho wick, I found him a 

 good, kind-hearted fellow, who sympathised with me 

 in my troubles ; now of his own free will and accord 

 he brought me his cattle and people. Thus fresh forces 

 were added to our strength; and at the first struggle 

 the unfortunate wagon was drawn on to the road, and 

 three hours afterwards found us at the greatest elevation 

 of this ridge, slowly moving forward 'mid drenching 

 rain, a gale of wind in our teeth, and darkness closing 

 on the scene. 



An hour afterwards a halt was called time indeed, 

 for I could scarcely see my horse's head. No food 

 could possibly be cooked, and it was a dreadful night to 

 sleep out on the open ; yet no other alternative appeared 

 to present itself. However, the driver soon thought 

 differently : at first he had been disposed to yield to 

 circumstances; but afterwards found even his hardy 

 constitution was being too much tried, so proposed that 

 we should ride on to Currie's Hotel, which he believed 

 to be only three miles from our present position. 



It took us longer time to ride those three miles 

 than I ever remembered to have previously required 

 to accomplish such a distance ; but how we did 

 it at all to this moment appears to me inexplicable. 

 The road was simply villainous, bordered on either side 

 by precipitous ravines or flooded water-courses ; while the 

 storm howled through the impenetrable darkness. Eor 



