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CHAPTER VI. 



Hermanus Kraal— Banks of the Fish River — Oxen startled by a 

 Hyeena — Anecdotes of this voracious animal — Fort Beaufort, a 

 Military Outpost — Cobra de Capello — Kat River — Hottentot 

 Settlement — Missionary's Grave. 



We left Graham's Town early in the morning, on 

 another visit to Cafferland, and after descending a 

 steep and rugged hill some few miles distant, we 

 pitched our tent for the night in a secluded part of 

 the valley ; and pursuing our journey at sunrise, 

 reached Hermanus Kraal towards noon, eighteen 

 miles to the eastward of Graham's Town, and occu- 

 pied as a military outpost. Here we uit spanned at 

 a short distance from the Fish River. 



During our stay on the banks of this river the 

 heat was intense ; but on crossing the stream, our 

 path extending along an elevated ascent, we soon 

 began to enjoy the influence of a refreshing breeze, 

 occasionally catching sight of the river as it wound 

 its sinuous course through the depth below, shaded 

 on either side by long lines of beautiful yellow- 

 blossomed acacias. The surrounding country, which 

 was characterized by a bold and rugged magni- 

 ficence, its asperities, grand by contrast with its 

 softer features, being relieved by the hues and 



