314 THE KROMME RIVER. 



usual occurrence in these regions. We saw large 

 flocks of the Anthropoides Stanleyli feeding along 

 the valley ; hares and partridges were also numerous. 

 Observing a hawk perched on the top of a distant 

 tree, I sent one of the Hottentots to shoot it. He 

 managed to get immediately beneath the tree without 

 being observed, and firing, broke its wing, when the 

 bird in its descent struck at him with its claws, 

 lacerating his face so severely, that he was ever after- 

 wards extremely shy of shooting hawks. 



On the fourth morning after our detention in this 

 spot, the weather changed, when the sky became 

 bright and clear, which cheered our spirits, from the 

 prospect thus afforded us of being able again to 

 prosecute our journey. We accordingly broke up 

 our encampment, and reached the Kromme River 

 about the middle of the day ; but finding it im- 

 passable in consequence of the heavy rains that 

 had lately fallen, we were under the necessity of 

 again pitching our tent near its banks, where we re- 

 mained the whole of the ensuing day, watching 

 anxiously the fall of the flood. It has been said that 

 two or three ships may anchor at the mouth of 

 this river with tolerably good shelter from all winds 

 except the south-east, and that it is navigable for 

 small craft ; but from the observation which I had an 

 opportunity of making, I should doubt the possibility 

 of a vessel of any tonnage proceeding very far up the 

 channel. In fact, none of the rivers throughout the 

 whole of this district appear to be navigable ; they are, 



