CHAPTER XII. 
JOURNEY THROUGH THE ROGGEVELD TO THE BORDERS OF THE COLONY. 
August 6th. The day was occasionally showery, and extremely 
cold. * The boors came again with their oxen, and at noon we 
commenced the ascend of the mountain. The road was exceedingly 
steep, winding in different directions to avoid the deep ravines ; but 
was less rocky than the other kloofs of the colony which I had passed, 
although the rain had now rendered it slippery and dangerous. 
At one spot towards the top of the mountain, where the acclivity 
was greatest, the oxen slid from side to side, unable to keep on their 
feet ; and the great weight of the waggon began to drag them back- 
wards, in spite of their utmost exertions. The two boors, who were 
driving, were in the greatest anxiety and alarm, not only for the 
fate of the waggons, but also for the safety of their own cattle. 
Witnessing their perilous situation from below, I scrambled hastily 
out of the road, to save myself among the rocks, expecting to behold 
every thing hurried headlong down the steep, and for some moments 
* The thermometer being only 38° (+ 3-33 Cent.) 
