1811. AN UNEXPECTED EVENT. QQg 
The succeeding part of the day we travelled across plains tolerably 
well scattered over with bushes. The predominating shrubs were 
Eriocephalus deciissatus, Rhigozum trichotomum, and that already men- 
tioned as a Dais * ; each giving the principal feature to its own 
district. That of the Eriocephalus was quite whitened with the 
abundance of snowy cotton-like seed with which it was covered: the 
Rhigozum was not in blossom, but its brown branches cast a darker 
tint on the landscape ; while a gay enlivening appearance was pro- 
duced by the profusion of golden flowers which decorated the Dais^ 
in whose presence the arid desert seemed to smile, f 
The evening coming on, the party drew closer together, as well 
for mutual protection, as to avoid losing each other in the darkness 
of the night. Thus continuing on our dreary way till a late hour, 
we suddenly heard the cry of Whoo-ah ! Whoo-ah ! from several 
drivers in the rear. We instantly halted, thinking that some attack 
had been made by the Bushmen, or that some formidable wild beast 
had carried off an ox or one of our people. We ran back to their 
assistance with loaded guns in our hand ; but our fears were soon re- 
lieved, on being told, as we approached, that it was nothing of this 
kind : and yet, the accouchement of one of the Hottentot ladies, was 
certainly an occurrence that happened very awkwardly just at this 
time, and in such a spot. 
It was thought not necessary to detain the caravan on this 
account, considering the great danger of keeping the cattle much 
longer without water ; we therefore left the woman behind, with two 
waggons, in the care and protection of her relations. 
The importance of pushing forward, made us heedless of the risk 
we ran in separating ; yet, for the sake of my oxen, I started while 
* At page 289. 
f A black beetle was very often met with in our road, and seemed fond of crawling 
along the ground which had been made smooth by tlie wheels ; for which reason, and its 
proving to be an undescribed species, I have called it 
Moluris vialis. Nigra. Elytra postice, et ad latera, tuberculata, apicibus pro- 
ductis glabris. Macula abdominalis velutina rufa. Thorax laevis. 
In its season it is a very common insect, and, in a geographical view, one of a very 
wide range, but, I believe, quite extra-colonial. 
R R 
