CHAP. XXX. 
IMPEDIMENTS— OUR MOTLY COMPANY—PASS A CORAN- 
NA KRAAL—ESCAPE FROM A LION— FILPS KRAAL- 
WHIRLWIND— HUIMAN'S KRAAL. 
X HOUGH arrived safely on the south side of the 
Great River, we had still something to trouble us 
from the other side, for there were no tidings of the 
recovery of our eighteen oxen, though it was the 
fourth day since they were missing. Plaje, my wag- 
gon driver a very active Hottentot, returned from 
the search in consequence of his horse being unable 
to travel any further on the deep sand. One horse, 
belonging to a Griqua, died through fatigue. There 
were other oxen besides ours also missing. In other 
parts of the country they would have traced them by 
their footsteps long ere now, but in that sandy desert 
there are flocks of Elks constantly traversing it, by 
which means the footmarks of our oxen are rendered 
invisible, as well as by the drifting of the sand. Our 
position was very pleasant, in a hollow, surrounded by 
trees, and, though not within sight, we were within 
hearing of the river; and from the ravages of time 
Aug. 20th. 
