1812. 
THE TRACK OF A WAGGON DISCOVERED. 
93 
circumstances, from which thej deduce information: but what has 
been mentioned will be sufficient for showing what reliance may be 
placed upon their opinions. Cases occurred frequently during these 
travels, when this knowledge proved of the utmost importance : it is 
therefore a subject deserving of attention. 
In the instance which gave rise to these remarks, the track of the 
waggon was, at the spot where we first saw it, not very discernible. 
But one of the Hottentots having noticed the middle stems of a low 
shrub to be broken down close to the ground, in a manner different from 
that in which they would have been broken by the foot of any animal, 
immediately examined all around at the distance where the other wheel 
should have passed ; and soon discovered other similar appearances, 
by which we were all convinced that awheeled carriage must have been 
there. All these stems or branches being observed to incline forwards 
in the direction in which we were travelling, it was thus ascertained 
that the waggon had advanced in that direction also ; as every one, as 
well as a Bushman, knows that a wheel pushes forward any small bodies 
or obstructions in its way. The same conclusion was drawn from 
those stems which had not been broken down, but the bark of which 
had been torn. Those which had been beaten to the ground, still 
remained in that position ; but we observed other shoots rising 
upright from them ; and, from these being of two years' growth, we 
drew the conclusion that it must have been about two years since the 
waggon had passed that way. 
At Rhenoster Poo7^t * we found the space between the river and 
the rocks but just wide enough to admit a passage. We crossed to 
the left bank, and continued for nearly an hour to follow the waggon- 
track, which, as we advanced, became more visible, but at length it 
re-crossed the river, while we pursued a course inclining westward, 
and having close on our right, lofty mountains covered with grass. 
* On the rocks of this pass I found a new and very neat shrubby species of Salvia. 
A variety of plants grow on these mountains, but the circumstances of our traveUing 
did not admit of collecting and preserving any ; and unfortunately the mode which I have 
recommended in such cases (Vol. I. p. 133 and 134.) did not at this time occur tome. 
