SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. V. 
Sketches on a journey from Graaff Reynet along the fea-coaft to 
the Cape. 
TPhe long continuance of dry weather had, for more than a 
month, rendered the paffage of the Karroo, or great defert, im- 
pradicable, on account of the fcarcity both of water and of her- 
bage. All the rivers that interfeft it, and the few fprings that 
are found upon it, were faid to be completely dried up ; and 
the farmers of Graaff Reynet, who, at this feafon of the year, juft 
after their harveft, generally make their annual vifit to the Cape, 
were under the neceffity of delaying their journey, or of going 
round through the diftrid: of Zwellendam, in all parts of which, 
and at all feafons of the year, is abundance of water. Three 
days, however, previous to our departure from Graaff Reynet, 
there had fallen fuch heavy and continued rain, both at that 
place, and to the weftward in the mountains of Camdeboo and 
Sneuwburg, that little doubt was entertained of its having 
brought upon the Karroo a plentiful fupply of water, as far at 
leaft as De Beer valley, the delightful meadow of the defert, 
mentioned in a former chapter. 
On the ftrength of this conjecture, we departed from Graaff 
Reynet on the ninth of December, and found the two rivers, 
Sunday 
