RETREAT OF THE BUSHMEN. [1820. 
ference of the mouth might be about a quarter 
of a mile. The rock is perpendicular all around, 
and about a hundred feet high from the bottom, 
excepting a declivity on one part of it, which 
we easily descended. This was covered with 
trees, while no other trees were on that part of 
the plain. We descended to the bottom, where 
there is a deep pool of excellent water. Almost 
on a level with the surface of the water is a cave, 
which has a narrow entrance, and is frequently 
used by the Bushmen, as a refuge from their 
pursuers, when they have stolen cattle, be- 
cause they can feast here in safety ; for 
though the Matchappees have sometimes pur- 
sued them to the mouth of the cave, they have 
never had courage to follow them into that dark 
abode. 
There is an excavation on the south side which 
much resembles the window of an old Gothic 
cathedral. At the east end is a wide and deep 
rent in the rock, extending from the top to the 
bottom ; about the middle of which is a loose 
mass of rock, of several tons weight, suspended, 
to appearance, very slightly. It has evidently 
fallen from the summit, and been caught in the 
fall. The rent may be from ten to twelve feet 
wide, and lays open about thirty feet of the rock. 
This natural wonder is so much concealed, that 
a traveller may pass within a hundred yards of 
