216 
JOURNAL OF A 
the opening of ih© glen. The sun shone bright, and the morning- 
showers had given new brilUancv to the rich verdure. We were 
charmed with the variety of trees and bushes, through which we 
rode, and noticed several large butterflies, with wings of the richest 
azure, sporting in the sun. Meeting with Mr. Jacobus Scheper, 
jun. we presented the landdrost's order. He begged to ride on 
to his father's farm on some business, but soon returned to us, when 
he gave us every information respecting the premises. The river, 
which we crossed several times, at fording-places, darkened by the 
shade of lofty trees, runs with a rapid stream over a ston}'^ bed, 
here and there dipping under heaps of stones. These, in my 
opinion, having been brought down from the mountains by floods, 
liave accumulated to a height above the common level of the 
water, as in Jackal's Kraal, (p. l63). In some places, the river forms 
a fme broad surface, passing quietly, though rapidly, along. As this 
was not the rainy season, there appears to be, at all times, a suffi- 
ciency of water for every purpose, with fall enough, either to work 
a mill, or to be led into any part of the more level ground. 
But much as we Avere pleased, and almost enchanted, with the 
beauty of the glen, Brother Schmitt at first objected to its narrow 
width, which indeed, on entering, appeared little more than a few 
hundred yards, till we had penetrated about a quarter of an En- 
glish mile into it, when it spread considerably, the hills receding on 
both sides. To the left, they are high, and full of kloofs, containing 
large timber. A range of lower eminences lies at their foot; hav- 
ing, as v/e were informed, plenty of good pasturage upon them. 
To the right, the hills are lower, but more interesting in their 
appearance. Their tops are covered with bushes, the lower region 
steep, and, in many places, supported, as it were, by rocks of a deep 
red colour. These rocks are concrete masses of pebbles and clay, 
strongly impregnated with iron. The colour of some of them ap- 
proaches even to pink or lake, with white or yellow veins. At every 
turn, the outline of the hills varies, presenting some picturesque 
.scenery. Leaving the path, which runs nearly through the middle 
