223 
TRAVELS IN 
the Keifkamma, whilft we turned off to the fouthward towards 
the fea-coaft. In the dufk of the evening we came to a fmall 
clear ftream, upon the bank of which we pitched our tent. It 
interfered one of the moft beautiful parts of Africa that had 
yet fallen under our obfervation. The bold eaftern bank 
clothed with hanging-wood, and the extenfive meadows riling 
gradually on the oppofite fide into fine fwells covered with 
grafs, and interrupted here and there by clumps of tall 
fiirubbery and ftraggling trees, gave to the country the appear- 
ance of a fuite of Englifh parks or pleafure grounds. Along 
the river ftood a number of fmall villages and detached huts ; 
but they were entirely deferted. The land had evidently been 
under cultivation no long time paft. Fields of millet that had 
been confumed by the birds were ftill Handing in regular rows. 
It appeared to be the holcus forghum of Linnseus. Several 
large-water melons, of an infipid tafte, had planted themfelves 
from the feed of the old ones that had decayed on the ground. 
Several implements of hufbandry, keerieSy and fmall wooden 
fpades, were lying in the gardens ; and it appeared as if the 
inhabitants had been driven away in a hafty manner. 
Some fires being feen at no great diftance from the place of 
our encampment, and the dogs keeping a perpetual barking 
after it grew dark, we began to fufpedt that our motions were 
watched by one of the parties, the Kaffer king, or the emigrant 
chiefs. In the courfe of the night, however, the difturbance 
made by the dogs was explained, from an immenfe troop of 
wolves attraded by the fmell of an ox that had been killed the 
preceding 
