I 
1(5 A i^RINGBOK SHOT. [1820. 
proved destitute of water ; but, in consequence of 
the rain, no doubt could be entertained upon the 
subject. As we advanced, we observed many 
pools which had been dry, but were now filled 
with water. The ground being of clay, the rain 
did not sink into it, but either remained on the 
surface, or flowed to the nearest hollow, or to the 
bed of some river. This accounts for the sudden 
changes in the Great Orange River, the waters of. 
which sometimes rise six or seven feet in a few 
minutes. A great part of its supply coming 
from that country, and farther to the eastward, 
heavy falls of rain must immediately run into the 
River King, and other contributory streams, and 
thus suddenly raise the Great River. 
At five p. M., coming to trees likely to afford 
fuel, we judged it proper to remain for the night. 
Two of our men brought a springbok they had 
shot, which came very opportunely, as our stock 
of meat was nearly exhausted. A hungry wolf, 
soon after sunset, began to set up its melancholy 
howl, but our oxen and horses were all secured. 
We went forward at nine a. m., and at eleven 
p. M. passed about ten miles to the eastward of a 
low hill, which we had observed ten miles to the 
westward, in our journey up the country. For 
three hours we travelled over a dreary plain covered 
with withered grass, and hardly a bush in sight 
