UNPLEASANT SITUATION. 5 
to show symptoms of insubordination, would have 
followed his example, and left me entirely alone 
in this desert place, where I must have remained 
until some chance assistance could have been 
procured. 
We proceeded onwards until we reached the 
Brack River, a little before sunset. On descend- 
ing a narrow ford, where the water was shal- 
low, our waggon unfortunately stuck fast in the 
mud, when we were compelled to unload it, and dig 
a path through the bank, which was rather steep. 
After having been thus occupied till a late hour, 
we found the oxen still unable to move it. I mounted 
my horse, and rode to the nearest farm in search of 
additional cattle, but was informed on my arrival, by 
the proprietor, Hans Voneer, that his oxen were out 
grazing, and that he could not render me any assist- 
ance till the morning. I returned, therefore, to the 
waggon, which remained in the middle of the river 
during the night, at the risk of being carried away 
by any sudden rising of the stream. 
The night was dark and gloomy ; the thunder and 
lightning, being accompanied by violent winds and 
heavy rain, rendered our situation still more un- 
pleasant. In the morning the oxen were missing, 
and on the farmer coming up with his own span to 
assist me, I learned from him that mine had strayed 
into his corn-land, and had greatly injured his crop, 
a circumstance which was exceedingly mortifying 
