VISIT TO SdUTH AFRICA. 1.97 
mimosa, on level ground, till we anived at the Klein Rev ier, when 
the farmer left us. Mr. Melville went with him across the river, 
in a canoe, half full of water, and returned with a bottle of sweet 
milk. Meanwhile I took the portrait of one of our oxen, whose 
horns spread to a greater extent, than any I had seen, the points 
being nearly six feet asunder. The brute stood patiently for his 
picture, but on attempting to measure his horns, he offered to use 
them in a way, that kept even his driver at a respectful distance. 
We now entered a country similar to that in the Soete Kloof. 
The road winds through a low wood, and is extremely rugged, and 
full of holes. Many curious caverns appear in the hills on both 
sides. From the kloofs, we ascended a barren hill, consisting of 
masses of iron-stone, the surface of some appearing as if they had 
been in the fire. They lay upon white clay, in some places pow- 
dered, and mixed with sand. At sunset, we intended to encamp 
for the night, but as the Hottentots assured us, that it was only an 
hour's drive to a much better out-spann place on the Louri Revier, 
we continued our journey over the edge of a barren hill. Descend- 
ing into the Louri Revier vale, we all left the waggons, as it was 
with great difficulty, and even hazard, that they were brought 
down in safety, the road winding through adark wood, full of holes 
and dangerous slopes. It was a fine star-light night. All nature 
seemed hushed in peace, except that now and then the croak of 
some nocturnal bird, or some unusual sound at a distance, or on the 
nearer hill, attracted our attention. Knowing that these woods 
are haunted by tygers, wolves, and buffaloes, we frequently fan- 
cied those sounds to proceed from some greedy throats, in search of 
prey, and they occasioned just enough of alarm, to add some speed 
to our progress, and make us glad to hear the barking of dogs at 
the distant farm. There we had intended to spend the night, but 
when the waggons with Brother Schniitt overtook us at the ford, 
we resolved, after crossing the river, to encamp on the opposite 
bank, to shorten our journey ; for, if we bad proceeded to the 
farm, we must have returned to the ford. Mr. Melville rode t& 
