CHAP. XIII. 
ARRIVAL AT THE GREAT RIVER— BERN'S KRAAL— TRA- 
VELLING ON BANKS OF THE GREAT RIVER— BUSHMAN 
BAPTIZED— CROSSING RIVER. 
Arriving at the summit of a long ascent, about 
two o'clock, we had a view of the long wished for 
river. The eyes of all were directed towards it, 
admiring its grand and majestic appearance, and 
expressing a strong desire to drink of its pure waters. 
Now that we beheld this tempting object, we grudged 
every minute which detained us from it. It might 
already, in a certain sense, be called " a river of life 
for even the sight gave fresh strength, vigour and ani- 
mation to every one of us. We found it farther off 
than our wishes at first led us to conceive, for we did 
not reach its banks till three o'clock, w hen every one 
rushed towards it, and drank eagerly, till satisfied. 
Being accustomed to thick and brackish water, we 
extolled the purity and sweetness of the Great River 
water. Neither the thickets with which its banks 
were covered, nor the steepness of its sides seemed 
any impediment to the cattle approaching it; they 
