278 TRAVELS IN 
convinced that eight would be fufEcIent for 
my waggon after it had been fo much light- 
ened. At the fame time I took care to fhorten 
the ftages, and to proceed only a league with- 
out changing the ream ; and in this manner I 
arrived at Oliphants-Kop (Elephants-head). 
This likewife is a rock that has acquired it$ 
name from its figure. I flattered myfelf that 
I fhould find water here as at Schuit-KIip, 
and there had actually been fome in its differ- 
ent cavities ; but, except a little moiftore, it 
had all evaporated. My oxen, which had not 
drank during the whole day, and which, the 
evening before indeed, had only been fiipplied 
with a few draps, vifited in vain all the 
clefts of the rock. So great was the diftrefs of 
thefe poor animals^ that, wherever they found 
moifture, they held their noftrils over it, as if 
refrelhed by its exhalation, and endeavoured 
to lap up with their tongues the aqueous par- 
ticles k might contain ; while at the fanne time 
they preffed their fides and beat their tails 
againft the cavity, feeking to imbibe relief at 
every pore. As for me, I had flilt a little 
water remaining in ajar, which I ihared with 
the twelve Hottentots who accompanied me ; 
' and 
