* AFRICA. 121 
go to the Cape. On the top of the moun- 
tain there a noble and moft extenfive pro- 
fped, including all the plantations fcattered 
throughout a vaft valley, inclofed by a chain 
of other mountains, and the fea. 
We were here obliged to unyoke our oxen, 
to fuffer them to take breath, and to give them 
fome hours repofe. Uneafy refpeding the 
defcent, and defirous to know the fafeft me- 
thod of gaining the plain country, I employed 
this fhort interval in taking a furvey of the 
neighbourhood. Having obferved that a gra- 
dual and gentle declivity on the back of the 
mountain would condud: us, without danger, 
to that charming country, I was entirely freed 
from my embarrafTment ; and returning foon 
after to my caravan, we refumed our march. 
The road, indeed, was very convenient for 
our carriages, and did not in the leaft im- 
pede their motion : we defcended, therefore, 
with a pleafure and tranquillity equal to the 
pain and inquietude which we had felt on the 
other fide. As favage animals feldom make 
their appearance in thefe cantons, having no- 
thing to fear, and no precautions to take, we 
continued our march till ten at ni^ht, and ar- 
rived 
