196 
A STONY PLAIN. — BUSHMAN SIGNAL. — RIIZO. 13, 14 May, 
in the midst of all this, to turn my thoughts back to my own country, 
I seemed for a few moments to beheve that I was only in a dream ; 
and that the scene before me was one of those inconsistent medleys 
of ideas, which are often produced by a wandering imagination. 
The first part of this day's-march was through a country covered 
with low mountains and rocky hills. Under the guidance of the 
Bushmen, we next proceeded over a large and rugged plain ; and 
afterwards ascended to a higher level, on which, after travelling two 
or three miles farther, we found a pond of water ; and, as it was 
already dark, halted there for the night. Kaabi's new kraal was not 
more than an hour and a half beyond this place, yet it would have been 
unsafe, in the midst of lions then beginning their nightly prowl, to 
have travelled at that hour with so many cattle ; as the dread of 
these destructive beasts, would certainly have thrown them into con- 
fusion, and scattered or destroyed our baggage. We had marched, 
according to estimation, twenty-five miles and a half, and the greater 
part of which being over ground profusely covered with large loose 
stones, most of my GraaflTreynet people were much fatigued. 
As soon as we arrived, the Bushmen made, upon the heights, 
three fires at the distance of about sixty yards apart, and forming an 
equilateral triangle. These were intended as some private signal, 
either to let their friends in the surrounding country, know that we 
were approaching, or to signify that our fires were those of friends, 
and consequently, to prevent any hostile attack upon us in the dark. 
I have therefore marked this spot by the name of Three-fires Station. 
l^th. This morning so many visitors continued arriving, that 
we were at length surrounded by a large crowd, whom we found to 
be nearly the whole of Kaabi's people. Among them I was glad to 
see Riizo ; and he appeared equally gratified at meeting us again. 
These natives came merely for the pleasure of seeing us, and of telling 
us that they were glad at our having returned into their country. 
They assisted us in packing our oxen, and we then moved on 
together in a numerous body. 
The distance being but little more than four miles, we reached 
the kraal in less than an hour and a half; where I was greeted by 
