128 DIFFICULT ASCENT. 



almost intolerable. Dark thunder- clouds began to 

 collect above us, indicating a coming storm. Having 

 remained here several hours, expecting the arrival of 

 the hired oxen, and not wishing to be pent up in this 

 gloomy nook during the night, we determined on 

 proceeding with our own team, and began the ascent 

 of this formidable pass. We had made, however, 

 but little progress, when the oxen came to a sudden 

 stand, nor could all the efforts of the Hottentot 

 drivers induce them to draw the waggon an inch 

 farther. This being the case we had made up our 

 minds to halt, when the oxen which we had engaged 

 made their appearance, and were immediately un- 

 spanned, but with as little success ; and after two 

 hours spent in ineffectual endeavours to ascend, we 

 were compelled to abandon the attempt altogether, 

 and pass the night on the spot. This was particularly 

 inconvenient, and might have greatly incommoded 

 any party descending, as our waggon was some little 

 way up the mountain, where it occupied the whole 

 width of the path*. 



* " During the visit of the Governor, Sir Lowry Cole, to this part 

 of the country, 1830, the Civil Commissioner of Graaflf Reinet repre- 

 sented to his Excellency the danger and difficulty of the ascent of the 

 Oudeberg Kloof, the steepness of which obliged the farmers to double 

 and even treble their teams. His Excellency accordingly ordered 

 an inspection of the same, and a new and equally direct line, with a 

 very gentle slope, was marked out on the following day ; which has 

 since been accomplished by the good management of the Civil Com- 

 missioner, and the public spirit of the inhabitants." — South African 

 Directory, 1831. 



