CHAP, v.] VIEW FROM THE HILL. 149 



distance from the waggons, and whether or no it would 

 be practicable to reach it in a single stage, should 

 water fail us. I was very anxious about the matter, 

 so I took a protractor up the hill with me, and pro- 

 tracted all my bearings on the spot, by which I had 

 a better idea of the country than I could obtain before 

 for want of well-selected observing stations. I had 

 a very wide prospect indeed from the top of 

 Eshuameno. Southwards I could clearly see Diam- 

 botodthu, which is only some twenty-five miles from 

 Schmelen's Hope. Northward extended a wide flat 

 of the most barren country. There seemed to be no 

 grass whatever upon it, but it was studded over with 

 low scrubby bushes ; while eastwards, in which 

 direction we had to travel, the ground was covered 

 with trees and grass. The results of the survey were 

 satisfactory to me, and I determined to risk going 

 across the plain to Ja Kabaca. I was assured of 

 plenty of water being found there. As we returned 

 the rain fell in torrents, in a jierfect sheet of water. 

 This was delightful, as it would fill the vleys for us ; 

 but we felt rather cold and hungry when we arrived, 

 after our five hours' ride through it. The Httle 

 waggon was too full of things for the men to use it 

 for shelter, but they had contrived some tenting, which 

 was sufficient for the occasion. 



March 22nd. — We were again en route. In four 

 hours a fine vley was discovered, and there of course 

 I stopped. I cannot take liberties with my oxen; they 

 are disheartened as easily as my men, and I am always 

 afraid of their sticking in the bushes. As for the 



