152 
JOURNEY IN ALBANY. 
[1813. 
proceeded on our journey. The morning felt cold. 
At nine, A.M. the thermometer stood at 62. On our 
way we saw six ostriches running very swiftly along, 
but our dog Succo following them, they were obliged to 
have recourse to their wings to assist in making their 
escape, which made it half running, half flying. Many 
quachas were seen at a distance, and one drove passed 
very near us. They, like most of the wild beasts we 
saw, ran in a continued line, one following another. 
At ten, A.M. we came to a wood, when a Hottentot 
was sent forward to examine an opening, to see if the 
waggons could pass. A road made by the elephants 
was found to be a good one. We observed two trees, 
and a large branch of a third, lately broken down by 
them, which, our people said, they do when out of 
humour. On the summit of a hill before us we ob- 
served some men descending towards us. We found 
they were a party of soldiers kindly sent by Captain 
Linch in quest of us, to learn if we were safe, and had 
found our way. I believe we ought to have solicited 
an escort while travelling within sight of CafFreland, 
and beyond all military posts. This had not occurred 
to me as at all necessary ; and though it did occur to 
Mr. Read, his modesty prevented his mentioning it to 
Captain Linch before we left his fort. The soldiers had 
shot a hart, but had left it behind. We sent a pack 
ox to bring it to our halting place, which arrived soon 
after we had reached it. It was about the size of a 
mule, and from its shape appeared to be made for 
swiftness. While at breakfast one of our parties 
brought an elk, cut up, and hanging upon the backs of 
