390 
JOURNEY ACROSS THE 
[1813, 
We found a waggon standing under a tree. It belonged 
to a Griqua, who had been obliged to leave it there, 
in consequence of his oxen being unable to drag it 
farther. Travelled W. 
Sept. 1. We were now within one stage of Kok's 
kraal, and as the waggon way thither was very circui- 
tous, ten of us rode on oxen by the river at nine A.M. 
The way over the hills was almost impassable even to 
oxen, being covered with rocks in every direction — 
my ox was sometimes on his knees, and on rising 
I was sometimes in danger of having my eyes pierced 
by his horns; however, in two hours we arrived at the 
kraal, which is situated in an extensive square plain, 
bounded on all sides by low hills. The plain is sand 
with tufts of grass scattered over it. The majority 
of the people are Orlams, and there are some who 
forsook Griqua land, quietly to enjoy a plurality of 
wives, and to live in every other respect without 
restraint; of course much wickedness exists among 
them. Our waggons did not arrive till four P.M. 
the way being long and rough ; at one place, all the 
twelve oxen which drew the baggage waggon lay down 
upon the ground, being unable to proceed. They 
were obliged to leave two oxen by the way, being 
quite worn out and unable to travel; one of them 
bled both at his mouth and nose. They were two of 
our fattest oxen; indeed, such in general fail first. 
No wonder the earth here is turned into sand, for they 
had not had a shower of rain for six months. They 
know of no inhabitants in the country immediately 
