STAY.] BUSHMEN'S COUNTRY. \gg 
not travelled more than a few hundred yards, when, 
to our surprise and joy, we reached the Brak river. 
This river seldom runs, except after great rains; at 
other times it consists of a chain of small pools in the 
bed of the river, containing good water ; though in the 
summer, when the quantity must be greatly reduced 
by absorption and exhalation, it probably is all brack- 
ish, as the ground contains much saltpetre. We tra- 
velled along the side of these pools until nine, A.M. 
when we halted to refresh our oxen in a narrow valley. 
Here we remained until two, P.M. when we were 
again in motion. On clearing this small valley, 
bounded by rising ground, we entered a plain, con- 
taining here and there some small hills. On advancing 
about a mile, we observed smoke on one of the hills 
to our left, which our Hottentots said was a signal 
from some of our people that they had shot an elk, 
and wanted our assistance to carry it off. Accordingly 
we ascended with our waggons towards the place from 
whence the smoke proceeded. While doing so our 
Bushman left us unobserved. Our Hottentots con- 
jectured that he had supposed we were boors, and that 
we meant now to attack a kraal of his countrymen to 
murder and to take prisoners, and had therefore fled, 
leaving behind him his bow and arrows. On travelling 
about two miles we found an elk had been killed 
and cut up, with which we loaded our waggons, and 
were obliged to leave part behind for the wild beasts. 
Four black-and-white crows followed us for a week, 
to pick up any thing we might leave behind at our 
halting places. 
