1811. 
THE FERRY TRAVELLING BY MOONLIGHT. 
179 
over cattle and heav}^ carriages. It may be described as a floating 
platform, with rails at the sides, and having its ends rising on hinges 
so as to lie at all times flat on the shore. It was sufficiently capacious 
to carry over my waggon with eight oxen, and six men, at one time. 
It was hauled to and fro, by means of a strong rope, strained from 
one bank of the river to the other, and was managed by a couple of 
men with great ease. The tolls were one rix-dollar for each waggon, 
with its oxen and men ; and one schelling for every single ox, and 
for each foot passenger. The ferry belongs to government, but was 
farmed to a neighbouring boor. 
The landscape here is rich and fertile: the beautiful flat country 
of Wagenmahers Valley and Drakenstein^ enlivened with numerous 
farm-houses, lay extended before us, bounded by a fine range of 
mountains, a part of the great western chain. The ground is well 
covered with vegetation, and abounds with shrubs. Very large bushes 
of Karree-hout* ^ which, in growth and foliage, have a great resem- 
blance to our common willows, grow along the banks. 
After crossing the river, and travelling till dark, we arrived at 
the house of a wine-boor, named Marais^ a man of a religious turn, 
and a friend of my fellow-travellers ; where we were well received. 
24//i. This house was situated near the Berg-river, and a part 
of the vineyard was pointed out, where an acre or two of the soil 
had been completely swept away by the flood ; the stream at this 
place having lately found a new course. 
After taking dinner with the family, we departed, directing 
our way over an open heathy country till evening, f The bright- 
ness of moonlight enabled us to proceed with as much safety as 
by day ; yet the necessity of travelling in the night is always to be 
\ regretted, because the views of a country, obtained in passing through 
it under such circumstances, seldom leave a correct impression on 
* Wius viminalis, L. 
f In this day's journey I frequently met with Tetragonia hirtsuta, a curious Httle 
annual plant with small yellow flowers. 
A A 2 
