SOUTHERN AFRICA. 383 
of the country appeared to be superior to most of the corn- 
lands in the vicinity of the Cape. Here too a scarcity is 
observable of the most ordinary game of the country, such 
as small antelopes, hares, partridges, and the several species 
of bustards. 
From this place it was our intention to cross the first chain 
of mountains which runs parallel, or nearly so, with the sea- 
coast. Previous, however, to this undertaking, it was found 
necessary, in conformity to the mstructions I had received, 
to take into custody, and to send up to the Cape, a certain 
boor who was known to have held communication with the 
rebels of Graaff Reynet ; and strongly suspected of having 
assisted them with gunpowder. By escorting this person to 
the Landrost of the district, two fine young men of the 8tli 
Light Dragoons unfortunately lost their lives. On their re- 
turn towards the drosdy a violent thunder-storm arose, dur- 
ing which the rain descended in such torrents as to fill, to the 
brim, a small rivulet that we had passed the day before with- 
out observing a single drop of water in its channel. The 
Hottentot, who led the foremost pair of oxen in the team, 
finding himself unable to withstand the rapidity of the cur- 
rent, let go the rope and effected his escape as well as he 
could. The oxen, being thus left without a guide, turned 
their heads in the direction of the stream. The waggon was 
upset ; two of the young men, who unfortunately could not 
swim, were seen no more; and Captain Smyth, with the rest, 
had a very narrow escape. 
