Feb.] cape TOWN TO BEAUFORT. 17 
halted opposite a farm-house^ where we procured 
milk for breakfast, which had become a reirity. 
The Gamka was now reduced to a small stream ; 
wild cotton-bushes grew plentifully in some parts 
of its wide channel. A powerful whirlwind passed 
over our waggons, and we expected the tent would 
have been torn to pieces and carried into the air. 
It lifted up nothing, however, but a volume of 
sand and gravel, which fell upon the neighbouring 
trees like a shower of hail. 
We visited the farm-house, where two tame 
ostriches were running about, although seven feet 
high. When a wolf is heard in the neighbourhood, 
all the dogs instantly run towards him, and the two 
ostriches generally join in the pursuit. I walked 
with the schoolmaster of the family to view the 
garden, which had a sickly appearance, being 
watered by only two feeble springs. Though 
these springs were but four yards apart, yet the 
one was sweet, and the other mineral water, re- 
sembling in taste that of Harrowgate. Therm. 90. 
At six in the evening we proceeded till mid- 
night, when we halted near the Gamka. Therm, 
at noon 80, the next day 82, when we were 
greatly molested by innumerable swarms of flies. 
Two waggons from the Sea-cow River passed. 
VOL. r. c 
