^00 T R A V E L S I N 
little value it might be ; but, as the heat was 
exceffive, I took advantage of the fhade which 
this building afforded us, in order that we 
might repofe ourfelves a little. Towards even- 
ing I prepared to fet out ; and we continued 
our journey for four hours. 
. The day following we pafled two more de- 
ferted houfes, which were in the fame ftate as 
thofe feen the evening before ; but, as I was 
unwilling to ftop, I did not vifit them. After 
a march of four hours, w^e arrived at the river 
Vogel^ or bird's river, where we halted, as our 
oxen were in want of water, and had fcarcely 
any thing to eat. At noon the heavens be- 
came overcaft, and the fun was entirely hid 
by very large clouds; which to me was a lucky 
circumftance, as it gave me an opportunity of 
advancing a little farther. We hoped to reach 
Agter-Bruyntjes-lloogte ; but, when we came 
to the bottom of thefe mountains, we met 
wuth a pond, which obliged us to encamp, as 
we very much doubted whether we fhould 
foon find another. 
During the night the favage Hottentots ob- 
ferved our fires ; and, as they approached to 
reconnoitre us, our dogs, who perceived themy 
took the alarm, and began to bark and make a. 
I dreadful 
