94 
our precious bottle of brandy, untouclied till now. Went 
to bed at dark, and bad a long nigbt's rest. Tbe bnnters 
went out to look for game, and sbot an impala and duiker, 
not mucb amongst tbe twenty-four men after keeping our 
portion. Next morning E. and I mucb better, and we 
started off about 9 o'clock, first picking up tbe buffalo's 
bead wbicb we found all safe in tbe tree. We cut off a 
deep bend in tbe river, and crossed to tbe opposite bank, 
far above our resting place on tbe Umtazena, wbere tbe 
lions bad come into camp after tbe ponies. Fortunately 
we bad picked out a very sballow crossing, for Jack" 
bad bardly got into tbe water wben be laid down, and E. 
bad to jump off and wade across on foot. We camped 
close to tbe deserted kraal we bad passed coming down. 
Tbe Caffres were out of food again, so I crawled out witb 
tbe rest to try for game, but we were all unsuccessful. In 
tbe afternoon we sent on two of tbe men to tbe Caffre kraal 
to try and induce tbe people to meet us at tbe next camp, 
and bring some more ground inyout or anotber water 
melon. We see signs of tbe approacbing spring in tbe 
appearance of several sorts of flowers, and large masses 
of a beautiful scarlet creeper tbat evidently grows to a 
great size, besides little wbite convolvoluses twining up 
tbe reeds. It must be a sigbt to see tbe vegetation during 
tbe bot and rainy season in tbis part of tbe country. 
August ^Ith. Last nigbt we were mucb botbered by a 
tremendous wind tbat seemed to rise quite suddenly, and 
blew witb gusts of considerable violence, tbreatening to 
carry away our tent in spite of pegs and ropes ; it lasted 
about an bour, and tben as suddenly died away again. 
Kemp's covering, insecurely fastened, was carried away at 
once, but be seems to bave been quite indifferent as be 
slept on undisturbed. A duU beavy day wbicb was 
pleasant for our walk to tbe next camp. Tbe distances 
seem so mucb less on our return journey tban wben we 
