A2S A JOURNEY IN 
compaiiied this armed party for a short distance down the 
river, but returned at the end of three days. Two days after 
this the armed party of Hottentots and Bastaards also re- 
turned, with the booty of a few oxen, cows> and sheep; but 
the two robbers with their gang had escaped into the woods. 
Among other things they brought back with them a quantity 
of red , copper balls, found among the ammunition of the 
enem}^ Avhich he had been under the necessity of leaving 
behind. . • 
Having remained at this spot a whole month, and collected 
what few cattle the inhabitants had to spare without distressing 
their families, the commissioners began to prepare for their 
return to the Cape ; and as, from their present position on 
the river, the nearest route appeared to be that thro\igh the 
Namaaqua country, they engaged two Bosjesmans to proceed in 
that direction over the Karroo plains, who, having ascertained 
whether it was practicable to undertake the journey by that 
route Avith their numerous cattle, were directed to return and 
report for their information. After some days these people 
returned, bringing back the unpleasant intelligence that all 
the springs and rivers v/ere completely dried up ; that they 
had themselves nearly perished for want of water ; and that 
it was utterly impracticable for man alone, much more so for 
^cattle, to proceed over the plains that intervened between 
their present situation and the western coast. They were, 
therefore, reduced to the necessity of measuring back the 
road to the spot where they had first crossed the Orange 
liver, in order to get into the old track of the waggons.. 
