122 TRAVELS IN 
rived at the river Palmit^ thus named by the 
Dutch, on account of the great quantity of 
reeds vsrhich gr<jw on its banks. 
When we av\roke next morning, v^e fought 
for our oxen, but in vain ; they had all dlfap- 
peafed : Hot being yet accuftomed to lie down 
by our carriages during the night, they had 
difperfed themfelves on all fides. My people, 
however, w^ent in queft of them ; but if v\^as a 
long time before they could get them col!ed:ed 
together, and we were not in a condition to 
depart before nine. About eleven, obferving 
a plantation at the diftance of fifty paces from 
me, I advanced towards it ; when the owner, 
who doubtlefs had feen my caravan, came to 
meet me. As foon as he perceived me, he 
made himfelf known ; and I found that he 
was the fame perfon who, at the Cape^ had 
fold me my mafcer waggon^ with the five pair 
of oxen that drew it. On this occafion, I 
could not help flopping and accepting a din- 
ner, which he offered me in the mofl: preffing 
manner: I complied with his requeft efpe- 
cially, when he confeffed to me, that, having 
learned at the Cape the day of my departure, 
and the route I intended to purfue, he had 
taken 
