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JOURNAL OF A 
before us, snatched them angrily away, and would hardly allow us 
to eat our own bread and butter under her roof. Mr. Barrow- 
must have encountered many of that description, when he drew 
his picture of the African boors and their ladies. We met with 
but few, for in general, they treated us with civility. 
Near this place, I found some very singular fossils in iron- 
stone, resembling screws, and in several places, the stones were 
covered with a bituminous crust. 
We perceived now, that the best way would be, quietly to 
move on, and to endeavour to work our way through the kloof, 
with our weary oxen, as well as we could. Having reached the 
first steep ascent, we left the waggons, and by a foot-path, joined 
the road, on the other side of the hill. Here we rested long, before 
the waggons overtook us. Some curious caverns attracting our 
attention, we entered them. By some foot-marks in the sand, we 
perceived, that they afforded retreat to tyger-cats. They also 
provided shelter for travellers in rainy weather, there being here an 
outspann-place, and fire-places made under the overhanging rocks. 
Forgetting the caution I had prescribed to myself, when I touched 
a tarantula spider, on the Zuurberg, I lifted up a stone to exam- 
ine it, and saw a young scorpion lying under it. I was thankful 
that I had escaped putting my hand upon it. Finding it impos- 
sible to reach any habitation to-night, the weather being very 
dark and cloudy, and seeing a fire on the mountain, we made 
towards it. It had been kindled by Lebrecht Aris, who had 
brought our purchased oxen thus far, and was preparing to rest 
here. We put up our tent, and though somewhat annoyed by 
passing mists, commended ourselves to the protection of God, 
and spent a very quiet night in this wild place. 
3d. Brother Stein, thinking the morning about to dawn, at 
half past three roused us out of a sound sleep, and announced 
the day. Though unnecessarily disturbed, we took advantage of 
it, and prepared for our departure. When it grew light, we saw 
high peaked mountains to our left, and found ourselves in a ro- 
