28 EXPEDITION INTO 



pouring down like locusts from the endless plains of the 

 interior^ whence they have been driven by protracted 

 droug-ht^ lions have been seen stalking- in the middle of their 

 compressed phalanx^ and flocks of sheep have not unfre- 

 quently been carried away with the torrent. Cultivated 

 fields which in the evening" appeared proud of their pro- 

 mising* verdure^ are^ in the course of a sing-le nighty reaped 

 level with the g-round, and the despoiled g-razier is con- 

 strained to seek pasture for his flocks elsewhere^ until the 

 bountiful thunder-clouds restore veg-etation to the burnt-up 

 countr}^ Then the unwelcome visitors instinctively retreat 

 to then* secluded abodes^ to renew their attacks when neces- 

 sity shall ag'ain compel them. 



Two of our oxen having become exhausted^ we presented 

 them to Frederick Mark GraaflP^ an itinerant pedag'og-ue and 

 masonic brother^ whom we here met^ and from Avhom in 

 return we received a handsome and powerful dog*. At Ven- 

 dussie Kuilen, a waterless station, at which we encamped 

 the next day, Piet returned, not only unsuccessful, but 

 having; completely broken do\\ n, and so deeply g"alled the 

 back of one of the best horses, that he was utterly useless 

 during- the rest of the trip. Andries still remained to carry 

 on the search for those that had strayed. 



Three tedious marches throug'h an arid level country, quite 

 denuded of herbag'e, and nearly destitute of water, broug'ht 

 us across an extensive tract, impregnated with salt, to the 

 residence of the fi'ontier Field Commandant, whose domains 

 are situated on the extreme border of the colon}^, and are 

 bounded b}^ the Nu Gareep (one of the two principal 

 branches of the g-reat Orang-e River), where we encamped 

 to enjoy the luxury of bathing*, and having* our linen washed. 

 This day three more of our oxen dropped down on the road, 

 and being- unable, from fatigue and want of sustenance, to 

 advance another step, we had no alternative but to leave them 



