FOURTH JOURNEY 
day before. We ftayed here a couple of days, and ranged die 
adjacent part of the country, where I found feveral plants that 
I had never before obferved. 
We next directed our courfe north by eaft, through a fandy 
plain ; and after travelling, about four miles, found a large 
rock of a conical figure, where was a fmall fountain of frelli 
water. There were feveral Hottentots who came from the 
Orange River. One of th^m was a good markfman, and on 
that account we took him with us. After travelling till next 
day, we were obliged to ftop to reft our cattle at about the 
diftance of fix miles from the river. 
On the flrft of Odober I left the waggon, in company with 
Mr. Van Renan and Engeibright, and directed my courfe to 
the river. On our firfl arrival we were all in great hopes that 
it was pafTable, but were foon convinced of the contrary. We 
then refolved to proceed to the eaftward, and after feme days 
arrived at a Hottentot village, fituate by a large wood on the 
banks of the river. Here we were informed that Colonel 
Gordon was about one day's journey to the eaftward, and that 
he intended to leave his boat at that place. I fent one of the 
Hottentots to beg him to allow us to make ufe of it, in order 
to tranfport ourfelves over the river, which was otherwife im- 
pafTable ; but before he returned the river began to decreafe 
with great rapidity. 
On the feventh I made an excurfion throuo^h the woods. 
I found them inhabited by variety of Birds and Monkies, wliich 
