\ 
SEPT.] NAMACQUA LAND. 41? 
lie in to protect them, they say, from the wind. A 
more barren looking spot can hardly be conceived than 
Pella, all around being white sand, interspersed with a 
few bushes ; two sides of which space, the N. and E. 
are bounded by high, rugged, black mountains. 
We visited their gardens in the afternoon, the sight 
of which cast a gloom on every countenance. It was 
the second month in their spring, many things had been 
sown, but most had perished, in consequence of the 
saltpetre with which the ground was impregnated, as 
soon as they had raised their heads above ground — 
others seemed struggling to live. I do not recollect 
observing a single smile in any countenance, while 
viewing the garden. The water is the only temptation 
they have to remain at Pella. The banks of the Great 
River, which are only about four miles distant, are so 
covered with rocks that they cannot live on it. 
14th. Thermometer at noon, 84. We had stili 
uninterrupted sun-shine, but though cheering to look 
upward, it was gloomy to look downward, for every 
thing had a sickly, dying aspect. At dinner a whirl- 
wind came, which filled the house full of dust, and 
obliged us to spread a cloth over what was on the table 
till it subsided. 
I was greatly pleased with an exercise which Mr. 
Helm had with the young people in the morning, vi^* 
reading some verses out of the Bible, and explaining 
them in a simple way by question and answer. A& 
3 H 
