3o8 TRAVELS IN 
our departure, I began by making the oxen 
file off* with their condudors. Thefe all paffed 
the river by fwimming ; and, in the mean time, 
the baggage was conveyed over on the raft. 
When all had arrived on the oppofite bank, 
the goods were landed ; and the condudors, 
knowing by the colour of the tickets what 
bags were to be committed to their charge, ar- 
ranged them in feparate heaps, and waited 
for the order to load. 
For my part, I had refolved not to fet off 
till the next morning, and to fpend another 
night in my camp, that I might regulate every 
thing, and give Swanepoel my final inftruc- 
tions. With half of my people, I left him for 
his guard and protedion half of my arms. 
I alfo left Klaas Bafter at the camp, who might 
be of fervice to me during my abfence, by 
going to the Nimiqua hordes and purchafing 
for me draught oxen, while I was endeavour- 
! ing to procure others in the countries I fliould 
vifit. 
Suppofing I flaould find any, what was I to 
do ? Or how Vv as I to adt ? Deftitute of plan, 
and even in the impoffibility of forming one, 
fmce the country I was to pafs through was 
totally 
