194 
JOURNEY ACROSS THE 
[1813. 
remarkable speed after our advanced party, to point 
towards water. He knew nothing about the finding of 
grass, as that is no concern of bushmen, who possess 
no cattle. A group of thirteen hills were in sight, all 
shaped like a sugar loaf, only more extended at the 
base. The smell arising from the bushes crushed down 
by our waggon wheels resembled that of an Apothe- 
cary's shop. Much did I feel for our oxen, who had 
fasted nearly two days for want of grass, but at three 
P.M. our hopes of relief were raised, by observing 
smoke rise at a distance, as a signal from our horsemen, 
that water was found. It was near a chain of hills 
due N. of us. At four P.M. some of us reached 
the spot on foot, where we found plenty of grass and 
water — a gratifying sight indeed! On the arrival of 
the oxen, it was pleasant to see them running to grass 
and water, after fasting so long. Observing four lions, 
a little to the eastward, we sent eleven men to en- 
deavour to drive them away, to prevent their disturbing 
us in the night time, which they effected. Except the 
four lions, we saw neither beasts nor birds during the 
day. It appeared to be a land forsaken by every 
creature from the scarcity of water. The appearance 
of the country, however, is charming ; the extensive 
plains are interspersed with hills of various but beau- 
tiful forms. The weather, though winter, was delightful. 
In the evening I asked our young bushman to come 
into the tent, with his interpreter, to have some con- 
versation with him. I inquired what he thought to be 
the worst thing a man could do ? It w^as sometime 
