138 
JOURISEY IN ALBANY. 
[181^. 
remained, and some tobacco was still growing ; but 
the whole of their corn fields were destroyed. The 
hills were covered with trees to the top, and were 
divided by the course of a river. Formerly the whole 
was covered with CafFre villages, but now there is not 
a living soul, but stillness every where reigns. On 
reaching the bottom of the valley, we turned round 
the hill which formed the opposite side, on our right, 
which introduced us into a small circular plain, yield- 
ing abundant grass of the richest kind. The scenery 
around was romantic and grand in the highest degree. 
The road from this plain to the fort lay through a 
narrow pass between impending mountains, clothed 
with the trees of former ages. It was nearly dark, 
and we had reason to suspect that the Caffres lay 
concealed in the w^oods. Owing to the windings of 
the river, we had to cross it several times, and the 
steep ascents and descents afforded additional trouble. 
At length we arrived at the desired fort, where I 
found both the officers who commanded were my 
countrymen; Messrs. Bogle and Mackinnes, from 
Glasgow and Galloway, who received us very kindly. 
Their situation is so retired and remote from the 
habitations of other men, that they seem to live almost 
out of the world. The Hottentots who accompanied 
us were received joyfully by their brethren, the soldiers 
in the fort, who were about fifty ; indeed the whole 
garrison consisted of Hottentots, except the two officers 
and two of the Serjeants. After a cup of coffee, Mr. 
Read, with the approbation of the commanding officer, 
preached to the people of the garrison, our company, 
