THE KARROO. 5 
the loose stones that obstructed our path down 
the rugged precipices; and as the sun had nearly 
reached the horizon before we passed the Kloof, 
the friend who accompanied me began, as well as 
myself, to despair of reaching any shelter for the 
night. We were, however, at length gratified by 
suddenly observing an opening that terminated this 
gloomy defile; and we shortly afterwards enjoyed 
the comfort of a night’s repose at the hospitable 
abode of Mr. de Plessie. His farm is situated on 
the opposite bank of the Breede River, which at the 
end of a most fatiguing journey we had with no 
little difficulty succeeded in fording with our wearied 
horses, having once or twice narrowly escaped the 
quicksands. 
On the next day we proceeded to the Hex River, 
where we overtook the waggons ; and as there was a 
bright moon, we were enabled to reach the top of the 
Hex River Mountain the same night. On the 21st 
we entered upon the Karroo; and after having 
travelled for the last three days through a succession 
of mountain passes, we found an agreeable change in 
the extensive prospect that now opened before us. 
We uitspanned about midnight, and on the following 
morning our journey lay over a long plain of red 
gravelly soil, covered with stunted bushes, bounded 
by gently undulating hills, and backed by lofty 
mountains; the great chain of Gwartberg being 
upon our right, and the cold Bokefeld on our left. 
Sete dy 
