288 
TRAVELS IN 
A consultation was held, to take into consideration the 
steps that apjDeared most advisable to be put in practice ; 
and the result of it was, that as soon as the oxen, which 
had been in the yoke the whole day, had refreshed them- 
selves by a few hours' rest, the relays should be put to the 
waggons, and proceed on the journey. We were unwilling 
to return, and it was in vain to think of remaining longer 
where we were. Beside the total want of water, there was 
neither a blade of grass, nor shrubbery of any sort, upon 
which the cattle could browse. The succulent and fleshy 
leaves, even of the mesembryanthemum tribe, were shrivelled 
up to a leathery consistence, and all their juices evaporated. 
Scarcely a living creature had appeared during the whole 
day, but at night there came into the tent, attracted by the 
light of the candle, such a multitude of a species of cock- 
chaffer, that they literally extinguished the candle and drove 
us out. This insect was of a pale ash color, and the thorax 
was covered with a whitish powder. 
A little after midnight we started afresh, directing our way 
across the desert towards the nearest part of the Karooka, 
still hoping to be fortunate enough to meet with water there. 
On arriving at day-light on the wished-for spot, not a vestige 
of moisture appeared even in the bed of the river for several 
miles. We were now totally at a loss v/hat step to take. 
We found we had advanced too far to think of retreating, 
and were entirely uncertain of what might be the event of 
proceeding. In the midst of painful reflections, the sun 
began to dart his scorching rays, and to display a widely ex- 
