APKiL,] JOURNEY TO GRAAF REYNET. 
}69 
the mountains of Sneuberg immediately on our right. 
At ten A.M. while the cattle halted to rest awhile, 
Mr. Read and I walked forward, when feeling the heat 
becoming oppressive, we took shelter under a spreading 
bush. A road made by ants to their nest passed the 
place where we stood. We observed thousands of 
these little animals passing and repassing : those 
travelling south, carried burdens ; those going north, 
were in search of something to bring home. In part 
of this path I observed a great error they had com- 
mitted at the original planning of it, for they had to 
ascend a cliff of almost two feet perpendicular height, 
while ascending which, I observed three or four who 
were dragging little berries, fall with their loads from 
projecting parts to the very bottom of the cliff; and 
they were so stunned by the fall, that notwithstanding 
their activity, it was almost a minute before they 
recovered, and began to make a fresh attempt. 
Yesterday we shot three bucks, and this morning 
one, which saves our sheep. The earth or mould in 
this part of the country is red, covered with heath 
mixed with grass. At eleven we halted at Hang-bush, 
near a small pool of water, the colour of soap suds. 
We found that the party of Caffres who were flying 
from the bushmen s country to their own, had lately 
stopped here, as their temporary huts composed of 
branches of trees were entire, and the leaves on the 
branches were but little withered. Thermometer at 
npon, 68. 
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