VISIT TO SOUTH ArillCA. 
163 
rainy night. It liglitued iimcli, the wind rose, and some rain fell, 
but besides a little annoyance from the flapping about of the cur- 
tains of our tent, which we had not sufficiently secured against the 
wind, we spent a quiet night in this solitai-y wilderness, under the 
protection of our Almighty Preserver, and roseearly in the morning 
to praise Him for His mercies, and for the return of fine weather, 
so desirable and needful for our present undertaking. 
23d. We commenced our survey, according to a plan agreed on 
last night. Brother Schmitt and Stein went with me to cap- 
tain JackaFs hill. From hence we proceeded to a narrow kloof 
out of which the rivulet flows. On leaving the kloof, it buries it- 
self under an assemblage of stones, from which, at about an hun- 
dred yards distance, it emerges in sufficient force, even in this dry 
season, to supply a mill. A broad path, made by wood-cutters, 
afforded a convenient passage into the kloof. The eastern sun 
shone with great brightness into it, gilding the banks on both sides. 
They rise steep to a considerable height, and are clothed with a 
romantic wood of every species of tree growing in the country, in- 
numerable flowering plants and shrubs covering the ground. Here 
and there, masses of rock peep through the surrounding foliage. 
The rivulet rushes rapidly through the shady grove, over a stony 
bed, and we followed its course to a place where it forms a deep 
pool under a perpendicular rock. From the accidental position 
of the broken fragments of stone, piled up in order at its foot, 
this rock might, at some distance, be taken for a mass of basaltes. 
The water filled the whole space, and obliged us to ascend the hill. 
Having, however, satisfied ourselves as to the supply of water to be 
gained from the rivulet, we returned to the tent, much pleased 
with the discoveries we had made. We made a favourable report 
of them at an excellent breakfast, for which, through Mr. Rex's 
goodness, v. e had been provided with every requisite, sweet milk, 
fresh butter, and good wheatcn bread, and a partridge, shot by 
Mr. Melville. 
On reading the portions of scripture appointed for this day, ren- 
