July.] 
DESCRIPTION OF THE WAY. 
133 
At three p. m. part of our men returned with 
the oxen ; they had strayed to the Krooman River, 
near Clohah's place. The Hottentots met two 
of his captains driving them to Patannee, sup- 
posing we were there, for they knew the oxen 
belonged to us. 
Our water being all expended, and as no supply 
was to be obtained in the desert, we were under 
the necessity of departing as soon as possible. 
We therefore went forward at half past three 
p. M. Our course at first led us among low 
bushes and tall grass, where the Bushmen had 
formed many pits. There were also holes made 
by porcupines and other animals, which rendered 
it necessary to keep a good look out, lest any of 
the wheels should sink into them. 
The soil over which we travelled varied ; con- 
sisting of clay and sand, sometimes of a red co- 
lour, at other times brown, and occasionally 
yellow. About sunset we reached the eastern 
side of the desert, and began to cross a range o 
hills that ran parallel to the Krooman River. For 
two or three miles it was very difficult for the 
oxen to get forward, from the closeness with 
which the hookthorn-bushes grew to each other. 
Munameets was much torn by them ; the blood 
streamed down his legs from many wounds. 
The other Matchappees shared the same fate, and 
