i6 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



however, by frightfully rough and uneven roads, we 

 reached Paarden Poort (Horses' Pass), a well-known 

 pass, or series of passes, that give exit through 

 the Winterhoek range. The road here is often 

 scarped from sheer rocks, affording very little space 

 between the towering mountain-side and the deep and 

 yawning precipices beneath. All this day, indeed, 

 we toiled alternatively up heights eminently trying 

 to horse and oxen flesh (as the bones of many a dead 

 bullock bore witness), or down uneasy declivities 

 almost as perplexing. After an outspan for break- 

 fast — hard-boiled eggs, ham, and some bottled beer 

 — we struggled onwards, until presently we began to 

 enter upon the noorse doom veldt (literally nurse- 

 thorn country), consisting of bushes of a tall cactus 

 which, like the euphorbia, exudes a milky juice on 

 being broken. Unlike the euphorbia, however, the 

 milk of the noorse doom is not poisonous, and forms 

 an excellent food for cattle, sheep and goats, which 

 are all extremely fond of it. Care, however, has 

 to be taken that the long spines of the plant are 

 removed before animals are allowed to be fed 

 upon it. The sun shone brilliantly, but the air 

 upon these mountain ranges was clear and 

 wonderfully exhilarating. 



" Jove ! what a day ; black care upon the crupper 

 Nods at his post and slumbers in the sun." 



No cares, indeed, had we as merrily we drove 

 along — anon changing company by changing vehicles. 

 The roads were rough, the joltings and hangings 

 innumerable ; but what of that ? — we cared nothing 

 for such trifles. Everything was fresh and beautiful 

 — the sky, the air, the terrain ; every bird and beast 



