328 SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
have passed their limits ; but the real motive, it 
was supposed, of this eager desire to repel the en- 
croachment, was the hope of plundering a por- 
tion of the herds belonging to them. According- 
ly, all the hostile preparations were ordered to be 
discontinued, and the party determined to proceed 
into the Caffre country, to accommodate matters, 
if possible, in an amicable manner. 
Before proceeding on this embassy, they made a 
short excursion to Zwartkops, or Algoa Bay. The 
most remarkable object on their route was a salt 
lake, the largest in Southern Africa, where such 
lakes are very common, and are called salt-pans. 
The water was salt as brine, and the bottom co- 
vered with a sheet of that mineral resembling ice 
in appearance, and hard as rock. The dry winds 
produce a fine powdery salt, like flakes of snow, 
which is much valued. Lions are very numerous. 
Mr Barrow controverts strongly the common idea 
of the courage and heroism of this boasted lord of 
the forests. He describes him as cowardly and 
treacherous, never attacking unless in ambuscade. 
Zwartkops Bay affords good anchorage, but no 
shelter. Fish, particularly black whales, are very 
abundant. The country is fertile, and contains 
fine forests ; but the want of a market renders the 
farmers miserably poor. 
On returning to Graaf Reynet, Mr Barrow had 
an opportunity of observing the small remnant of 
