CHANGE IN THE SCENERY. 293 



me. But in it he was much mistaken, for all his valu- 

 ables were on the wagon, and I knew that he prized 

 them too highly to forfeit them thus. 



That evening's was a most fatiguing journey, and 

 it was some time after dark before the cattle were un- 

 yoked. About half-past ten at night I had them put in 

 again, and lo ! and behold, the driver was there to 

 assist. I said not a word about our past difference, but 

 allowed him to go about his work as if nothing had 

 happened. 



At half-past one we were abreast of a large salt-pan. 

 The moon at the time was shining beautifully bright, and 

 this immense plane, for it extended over several hundred 

 acres, looked like an enormous field covered with snow. 

 At first I could not believe my eyes, and actually walked 

 down into it to assure myself that I was not mistaken. 

 It is composed probably of the nitrate of lime, and 

 the crust is nearly half an inch thick. 



Timber again becomes more abundant, and here I 

 first saw that wonderful and valuable plant, the kerne 

 (Cucumis kaffir), or wild water-melon. Farther westward 

 it is found in great quantities, even sufficiently so to 

 water the travellers' cattle with their juice. 



Grass is also becoming more plentiful, but it is not 

 the grass upon the velt to the south. In fact, this much 

 resembles the bunch grass of the buffalo plains of North 

 America, for it grows in large tufts, with a wide space 

 of sand between each plant. We now outspanned till day- 

 break, but at the first indication of light in the east got 

 again under way. With the advance of day I could 

 note that the country was become really well-wooded 

 and very park-like. 



Although I had seen the scavenger beetle the whole 



