110 
DIMINUTIVE BUSHES. — POND STATION. 18, 19 March, 
This plain was nearly six miles across, and terminated by ranges 
of mountains or rocky hills. Its surface was uniformly covered with 
low bushes, diminishing in size as we advanced, till they were, in that 
part where we halted, not higher, on an average, than nine inches ; 
nor could I find any which exceeded a foot. They were all of that 
dwarf kind which has been described on a former occasion.* 
In the south-eastern quarter of the plain, we came to a large 
pond ; and as it was at this time an hour after sunset, and it was 
thought too dark to venture farther, we here unpacked, and took up 
our station in a spot the most bare and unsheltered that can be 
imagined. Not a shrub could be found, by the side of which we 
might sleep somewhat protected from a cold wind which at night blew 
keenly along the surface of the ground ; nor was there fuel sufficient 
for keeping, according to our usual custom, a fire burning till morning. 
Barely enough of these pigmy bushes could be pulled up before dark, 
for cooking our food. As stones were every where found scattered 
about, I ordered a few to be piled up in the form of a low semi- 
circular wall, to shelter my head from the wind ; but the men pre- 
ferred exposure to the weather, to the trouble of collecting a few more 
pieces of rock for themselves. We were obliged to make our oxen 
fast, if it can be so said, to loose stones ; but they, and the sheep, 
were nearly as tame as the dogs, and had become so used to the daily 
routine of our travelling, that they seemed to understand their duty ; 
and, in fact, gave the people very little trouble in looking after them. 
This spot is distinguished on the map by the name of Pond Station, 
\9th. On account of the scarcity of fuel, we left this station before 
breakfast, and after having travelled a little less than two miles, arrived 
at the termination of this bleak plain ; where we found the dwelling 
of a colonist. It was a mere hut, and had not been inhabited by 
its owner for some time, but two or three ' tame Bushmen' were 
living there, to take care of the garden ; that is, to keep the cattle 
out of it, and watch that it was not plundered. They came out to 
* At page 314. of the first volume. 
