SOUTHERN AFRICA. J853 



As we gi-aduall}' descended towards this stream of promise^ 

 which ultimately proved to be the 'Gy Koup^ or Yet Riviere 

 of the emig-rants — rising* near the missionary station of 

 Umpukani^ and also a tributary to the Likwa — we passed 

 over a low tract about eig*ht or ten miles in extent^ strong-ly 

 impreg'nated Avith salt^ and abounding" in lakes and pools. 

 The number of wild animals cong-reg'ated on this swampy 

 flat almost realized fable 5 the roads made by then* in- 

 cessant tramp resembling* so many well-travelled hig-h-ways. 

 At every step incredible herds of bonte-boks^* bles-boks 

 and spring"-bucksj with troops of g-noos, and squadrons of 

 the common^ or stripeless quag*g*a^ were performing* their 

 comphcated evolutions; and not unfrequentl}"^ a knot of 

 ostriches^ decked in their white plumes, played the part 

 of g'eneral 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 wag*g'on-track, 

 and crossed the river, by a made road, to a deserted camjj 

 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 distem- 

 per, as to manufacture a new treh-touw, wash our linen, 

 eject the host of ticks which had taken possession of the 

 wag'g'ons, and give the Hottentots an opportunity of dancing* 

 in the new year. 



Together with the old year, we had fairly bidden adieu to 

 the great plains of the Yaal River, which to the traveller 

 appear to be completely taken possession of by wild animals, 

 and may with strict propriety be termed the domain of 

 savage nature. A region, to the perception as vast and 

 trackless as the ocean, and like it presenting an undisturbed 



* Gazclla Pygarga. Delineated in the Portraits of Game and Wild Animals 

 of Southern Africa. 



