3(>0 JOURNEY ACROSS THE [aug. 
...... 
Griqua town. The probability of our crossing over 
to Namaqua land in four or five weeks, and thereby 
saving two or three months, and likewise of discover- 
ing what was in the very heart of Africa, were such 
irresistible inducements as determined us to hazard 
the attempt. 
Early in the morning our people began to pack the 
waggons, and every thing was ready for our departure 
by ten o'clock ; but our oxen had broken out of the 
enclosure in which they were kept during the night, 
and no one knew in what direction they had wandered. 
People were sent in different directions to search for 
them, but we were kept in suspence respecting their 
return the whole da}^, until six in the evening. But 
as it was moon light, we resolved to set off directly, 
which we did on taking leave of our friends. Mr. 
Janz accompanied us in his waggon with some of his 
friends, together with three waggons belonging to the 
Griquaas, intending to see us safely across the Great 
River. When about half a mile distant, they fired 
a farewell salute from different parts of the settlement, 
as is the custom in the colony. At two o'clock in the 
morning, after travelling between hills from Griqua 
town, we arrived at what we named Ewing Fountain. 
The night being cold, and the ground covered with 
hoar frost, and fire wood being scarce, after our 
worship we hastened to rest. Travelled S.W. 
10th. The rising sun discovered that we were in a 
beautiful small plain, surrounded with hills. At nine 
