2cj6 TRAVELS IN 
On returning to the waggons we diredled our courfe eafl- 
erly, and rounded the mountains of the above-mentioned kloof, 
by which means we approached the Orange river, where, with 
an eafy current, it flowed through a level part of the country. 
We foon found, however, that it was impoffible for the wag- 
gons to proceed far in this diredlion, and that in very few 
places they could be brought near the banks of the river. "We 
therefore took to our horfes, and followed the windings of the 
river four days, in the hope of meeting with a ford where it 
might be paffed by the waggons. The firft day the water had 
lubfided near two feet perpendicularly, and it continued to fall 
for three days ; but the fourth day put an end to our hopes of 
crofling, by a fudden fwelling of the water to a greater height 
than when we had firft approached it. The mountains alfo, 
among which it pufhed its current, began now to be fo rugged 
that the banks were feldom acceffible even on horfeback. No- 
thing therefore remained for us but to return to the waggons, 
and abandoning the idea of penetrating farther to the north- 
ward, we contented ourfelves with ftriking off in the oppofite 
diredion tov/ards the Kaflfer country. 
The general breadth of this river, when free from inunda- 
tions, appeared to be about three hundred yards. In many 
places it extended to five hundred, and in others was contra£led 
to two hundred yards. The volume of water was immenfe, 
and, in the narrow parts, forced its way with great rapidity. 
Yet from this place to the embouchure on the weftern coaft, 
fuppofing it to be the Orange river, the diftance was not lefs 
than 
