ApRil.] 
OF OLD LATTAKOO. 
127 
always from under it. At eleven a. m. we entered 
the valley where Lattakoo had formerly stood, 
covering the whole with its houses, fields, and 
population. Now not a vestige remained, not 
one human being was to be seen, nor scarcely any 
other creature except a few solitary birds and 
lizards. It was covered with tall mimosa bushes, 
which in a few years will become trees, and render 
the place an impenetrable forest. The stillness, 
compared to the bustle and noise I had witnessed 
there formerly, brought to my imagination the 
desolation which is described as prevailing over 
the site of ancient Babylon. 
A Hottentot, who was with me on my former 
journey, brought me to the very spot on which my 
waggon had stood in the king's inclosure, the sight 
of which produced many pleasing recollections. 
I then viewed the site on which the king's house 
had been placed, and also that of his uncle 
Salakootoo. I next ascended the hill, to which 
my daily visits had been formerly paid, and from 
which there is a good view of the whole valley. 
I afterwards walked to the well, which our 
people had dug for the benefit of the natives, and 
was glad to find it remaining, and supplied with 
good water, of which we drank copiously. All 
the holes above it, from whence the people had 
been accustomed to obtain their water before our 
