128 
SUFFERINGS OF THE PARTY 
22 March, 
AJl were now wrapped up in every piece of clothing they pos- 
sessed ; and Ruiter had so tied himself up in skins of various sorts and 
colors, sheep-skins, leopard- skins, and goat-skins, that he looked 
more like an automaton pile of furs, than a man. The rain and 
mist became colder as we advanced ; or rather, we felt it more keenly 
in proportion as we lost the warmth which we had acquired by the fire- 
side. The mist penetrated, where the rain could not ; and every thing 
was either wet, or damp. The cold grew more piercing, and my 
people, more silent and dejected. I endeavoured to keep up their 
spirits, by assuring them that as soon as we should descend the moun- 
tain, we should find fair and warm weather : for we were then among 
the clouds ; or rather, the clouds had sunk upon us. Yet, though 
much chilled and benumbed, I did not myself suflfer so much as 
my Klaarwater Hottentots : they had long been accustomed only to 
the warm climate of the Transgariepine ; and three of them were, 
besides, advanced in years, and one of these much enfeebled by age. 
Speelman and Philip, who, like myself, had been somewhat hardened 
by constant exposure to every kind of weather, and being, excepting 
myself, the youngest of the party, were the least of all affected by 
the cold. The sheep, of which we had only two remaining, and the 
dogs, began to droop. Still, the hope of soon descending to a lower 
level, gave us courage to go forward. 
In this state we had been travelling about two hours and a half, 
when Philip, as I was riding in advance, hastily came on to tell me 
that the people were unable to proceed any farther, and that they 
were of opinion that the Bushboy was dying. When I returned, 
they all declared that they could endure the cold no longer. 
Old Cobus Berends's countenance was so much changed, and in so 
weak a voice he told me that the cold had seized his heart, that I 
really believed, considering his age, that he was struck with death. 
I had never before thought myself in so serious a situation : the poor 
little Bushboy "who, excepting his kaross, was nearly naked, had seated 
himself down by the road-side. When I went to him, I found him 
affected to so alarming a degree, that he had no power either to 
move or to speak, and his face had assumed that peculiar yellowness 
