FIRST JOURNEY. 
II 
ralfed k fo hisfh, and the courfe was fo rapid, that it was with '^in- 
<^ ' , ^ ^ October. 
difficulty we were able to fwim through it. We travelled the v— -J 
whole night in very heavy rain, with lightning and loud claps 
of thunder. About two in the morning we came to the Knof- 
lickv.-- Kraals Rivier, which takes its name from a fpecies of wild 
garlick. It was fo very dark, that in the firft attempt I made to 
pafs the river, I found myfelf out of my depth ; and with great 
difficulty got out : it was therefore necelTary to remain where 
we were till day-light. We made feveral fruitlefs effays to 
kindle a fire ; but every thing was fo wet, that the utmoft we 
could produce was fmoke. The rain continued very hard ; and 
in this uncomfortable iituation, our anxiety for the light of day 
may be ealily conceived. We had now been twenty-four hours 
without eating ; as foon as we could fee, therefore, we crofTed 
the river ; and at nine in the morning came to the houfe of 
Michael Otto, where we were hofpitably received ; got to bed, 
and had our clothes dried ; and after a few hours fleep took 
fome refrefliment. This place is lituated between the Hotten- 
tot Holland mountains, and a fteep fandy pafs called, the How 
Hook ; which may be faid to be a continuation of the ftrong 
pafs which I mentioned before. It produces corn and very 
good wine ; much better than is generally found to the eailward 
of the Hottentot mountains. The foil is of a fine rich clay ; 
but the paflure is coarfe, and feldom agrees with cattle, and 
leaft of all with llieep. Fruit is, in general, about three weeks 
later in ripening here, than about the Cape. At two we pro- 
ceeded on our journey, through the How Hook, colleding plants 
» Garlick, 
