45 
JOURNEY TO BETHELSDORP. [1813. 
some grapes and butter. The wind began to blow so 
hard about noon, that we found it difficult to keep up 
our tent, and the rain fell copiously. An oak, under 
which our tent stood, defended us for a while, but at 
length we were flooded out, and obliged to take refuge 
in our waggons. 
At three, P.M. we left Vat river. At five, crossed 
Caffre Schols river, then ascended a hill on the top of 
which stood a farm-house, the windows of which were 
crouded by the poor slaves, who were curious to see us 
pass. A little after sun-set it became so dark, that 
the road could not be discerned; we were therefore 
obliged to halt until day. Here the Hottentots con- 
structed, in a few minutes, a portable house. It is 
made of rushes, and resembles a stair carpet, about six 
feet wide, which they raise upon its sides, making the 
two upper sides meet for a roof, and the two ends for 
a door, extending the two under sides for a chamber, 
and a spare piece they lay down for a carpet. I went 
into it, and found it very comfortable. In this rush 
house, wet as they were by the rain, they sat in the 
dark, singing hymns for about an hour. 
27th» After six hours sleep I awoke about three in the 
morning, when I was glad to find the rain to be over, 
and a small remnant of that moon which had been so 
useful to us on the journey, shining from near the 
horizon. About four, A.M. the morning star rose 
above the hills, and it was not long before the sun 
^sprang up and the darkness fled away, and the birds as 
