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CHAPTER II. 



Rhenoster Kope — Anecdote — Large Herd of Spring-boks — Descrip- 

 tion of these Animals — Exploits in shooting — -Narrow Escape — 

 Gloomy Situation — Graaff Reinet — Swarm of Locusts— Difficult 

 Ascent of the Sneeuwberg Mountains — Schelms — Barren Aspect 

 of the Country— Celebrated Waterfall. 



On the 1st of November we quitted Beaufort, and 

 continued travelling until two o'clock on the follow- 

 ing morning, when we uitspanned at a place called 

 Rhenoster Kope, from the supposed resemblance 

 which the mountain bears to the head of a rhino- 

 ceros. We found here a scanty supply of brackish 

 water, and very little food for our cattle ; as the 

 heat, however, was most oppressive, we deemed it 

 advisable to remain until the decline of day, when 

 we again took our departure. An unusual number 

 of that most beautiful species of falcon, the Falco- 

 musica, were to be seen flying about in search of 

 prey, and alighting on the highest branches of the 

 trees, which are thickly spread over this extensive 

 valley. 



Availing ourselves of a bright moon, we travelled 

 during the night, and towards morning reached 

 the farm of Cornelius de Plooie, where we rested, 

 securing the oxen to the wheels of our waggon, to 

 prevent them from trespassing on the cultivated land. 



