94 SOUTHERN STATION ON THE FRIENDLY RIVER. 14, 15 March, 
Observing here a large herd of quakkas, between thirty and 
forty, Philip pursued them, and before he had approached within 
shot, they were suddenly driven away by the report of a gun on the 
other side, the smoke of which we perceived even from the spot 
where we stood waiting. Knowing that we were now upon ground 
to which the hunting excursions of the bordering colonists had 
sometimes extended, we concluded that the shot had been fired by 
a party of boors. We soon, however, discovered that this report was 
from Speelman's gun : he had started before us early in the morning, 
for the purpose of getting a first shot at the game ; as it had been 
found that they were often alarmed and driven away by the sight of 
the whole party. Soon after this a heavy rain set in, and continued 
to pour without intermission till the next morning. 
After travelling six hours, and finding ourselves close on the left 
bank of our river, we resolved to proceed no farther this day, as the 
weather was so unpropitious, and as all of us were exceedingly wet 
and cold. 
15th. The night passed most unpleasantly, as a strong wind 
much increased the chilliness of the air, and, in the morning, our 
clothes and bedding were found soaked with the rain. I have 
marked this spot by the name of Southern Station, as it was the most 
southern of all our sleeping-places along the banks of this river. 
We were now fast advancing towards the borders of the colony, 
according to the account of our Bushmen, who pointed out a distant 
table-mountain, on the other side of which, they said, we should find 
the residence of a boor whom they called JBaas Jacob. Although 
exceedingly anxious to know what part of the colony it was, to 
which we were approaching, they could give me no clue by which 
I could discover this ; nor did they know any thing respecting the 
bearing of Graaffreynet, nor even the boor's surname. 
As we could not expect to find much game within the colonial 
boundary, I determined on remaining a day at this station, for the 
purpose of hunting ; that we might obtain a stock of dried meat to 
serve us till we reached the drostdy. But, although four of the best 
marksmen were out the greater part of the day, nothing was shot. 
