i34 ^ ARRIVAL AT A DESERTED HUT. : 23, 24 March, 
We continued descending for a long time : the sun had already 
set, when we reached the foot of the mountain. Here, very oppor- 
tunely, we found a deserted hut which, though in a very ruinous state, 
we were happy in taking possession of It consisted only of one 
room ; part of the roof had been blown off ; the floor was covered 
with the rubbish of the thatch which had fallen in ; and the door and 
windows had been taken away. This I considered as placed in my 
way by good-fortune ; as I began to perceive symptoms of a violent 
fever ; having felt a chill and shivering, even in the sunshine, and 
the cold I had taken, having already produced a hoarseness. 
A fire was made within the walls, and my blankets, which were 
still very damp, were spread in one corner of the hut, upon some 
straw which luckily had escaped the rain. I layed myself down im- 
mediately and wrapped my driest covering about me, hoping that 
this treatment and my former remedy, would, before morning, remove 
the fever, as they had done on similar occasions. As soon as enough 
embers had been burnt, the men baked in them some bread made 
with the flour which I had purchased of Van der Merwe. 
24if/i. In the morning, finding the fever rather increased than 
abated, I resolved to try the experiment of a dose of ' antimonial 
powder,' and was obliged to keep my bed. The weather was fair, and 
the day sunny and pleasant ; but I was now, for the first time since 
leaving Cape Town, unable to travel. I sent Philip on the horse to 
examine if the Zondag (Sunday) river was fordable ; and in less than 
two hours he came back, and reported that we might pass it with 
safety. 
Soon after his return, three burghers on horseback, armed with 
muskets and well provided with ball and powder, arrived from GraafF- 
reynet, which was about ten miles distant, having been sent officially 
by the landdrost, for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of the 
reports respecting us. They entered the hut, when my men having 
pointed out to them their master lying asleep, I was awakened by 
the sound of Dag, which they repeated till I uncovered my head and 
returned their salutation. 
They began by stating that they were sent by the landdrost td 
