100 A STORM. 



opened, and the skies poured down torrents of rain. 

 Not a living object was to be seen beyond a solitary 

 eagle, soaring to its rocky eyrie immediately before our 

 view. We were now under the necessity of halting, 

 as the rain continued to fall most violently, rendering 

 it impossible for the oxen to proceed. The impetu- 

 osity with which the clouds empty themselves, as it 

 were, drenching the dry and thirsty ground, can 

 scarcely be conceived : the earth being unable to 

 absorb this sudden flood, it rushes along the surface 

 like an overwhelming deluge. By this time it had 

 penetrated the tent of our waggon, rendering our 

 situation extremely uncomfortable, for the storm con- 

 tinued with unremitting fury during the night, but 

 abated before sun-rise. 



No sooner had the rain subsided, than all was 

 again clear and bright ; a perceptible change, too, 

 was felt in the temperature of the air ; while, 

 quickened by the showers, and stimulated by the 

 action of the solar rays, vegetation appeared ready to 

 sprout forth in every direction. The whole face of 

 nature seemed refreshed and invigorated, and new 

 life and spirits were infused into us all, rendering this 

 day's journey particularly cheerful and agreeable. 

 Crossing Bitter Water, we continued our route until 

 after midnight, when we encamped on the banks of 

 the Gamka, or Lion River. 



Our course now lay along the margin of this 

 beautiful stream, which was thickly skirted with the 



