1812. 
DANGER IN FORDING THE GARIEP. 
215 
while in the middle of the stream, and a great part of the raft 
separated and was, together with one of the karosses, and some other 
goods, carried away by the stream and lost. At this time Truy and 
her child were going over, and narrowly escaped drowning, as the 
raft fortunately held together till just the moment when they had 
nearly gained the shore. 
This island was narrow, but of considerable length in the direc- 
tion of the stream. A few trees or bushes grew upon it, and some 
rushes of a new and peculiar sort *, which were never met with in any 
other part of my travels. It was subject occasionally to be overflowed; 
and the fresh grass and other rubbish left upon the branches by the 
inundation, proved that the river had very lately risen fifteen feet 
above its present level. The woods along the banks, were still in 
their autumnal dress. 
The two men on horseback were the first to ford the northern 
channel ; while the rest of us waited on the island to watch the result, 
whether it would be shallow enough for carrying our baggage over 
without a raft. This we judged it possible to accomplish by 
packing the goods high upon the oxen's backs. As soon as these 
were ready, as many of us as could be mounted, entered the stream. 
The depth of water was five feet, but we found, as we advanced 
towards the middle, that the current being straitened by the island, 
was excessively rapid, and rendered our fording an affair of consi- 
derable danger. We found it necessary to keep our view directed 
only to the opposite bank, to prevent giddiness ; an effect which the 
rapid motion of the water flowing past us, produced upon every one. 
I confess that I was not less in fear, than my men ; for the strength 
of the flood was almost greater than that of the cattle upon which we 
depended entirely for our safety ; and, added to this, the channel was 
* Cyperus scirpoides, B. Catal. Geogr. 2128. Culmi 2 — 3-pedales, nudi teretes : 
plurimi steriles. Folia nulla? Involucra et involucella brevissima ex squamis 2 vel 3 
erectis lanceolatis. Panicula constans ex spiculis sessilibus et pedunculatis, ex umbellulis 
paucifloris, simplicibus et compositis. Spiculse lanceolatae 8 — 16-florae. 
