GAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 
33 
mountains. The Berg river was highly picturesque. At the place 
where we had to pass it, it divided itself into two branches; the 
first was rendered difficult by very large rocks, over which the 
waggons were obliged to be dragged : the second was wider and 
much deeper. I confess that I by no means felt myself easy on find- 
ing the water enter the waggon, and the horses obliged to swim ; 
September, however, made such excellent use of his whip, and 
encouraged the cattle so loudly with his voice, that we were safely 
landed on the other side before we had time to consider our danger. 
We were now only anxious for our servants and the baggage, which 
not appearing for some time, September unloosed a horse and swam 
back again. His superior abilities soon set every thing right, and 
we beheld the other waggon enter the river and pass it with the 
same facility which we had experienced. This second delay, 
though it enabled us to admire at our leisure the scenery, which 
was far the most beautiful we had seen since we left the Gape, made 
us so late, that night overtook us on one of the extensive and sandy 
plains so common in this country, and which, being only covered 
with brush-wood, have no marks to guide the traveller. At length 
we discovered a light issuing from a small house to which we 
proceeded. On enquiry, we found we were nearly two hours 
drive from De Wall's at the Twenty-four Rivers, where we meant 
to have slept. It was completely dark, and our horses were 
fatigued, for we had travelled full forty miles. It was difficult 
to determine what we should do : to proceed to our original 
destination seemed impossible : the house in which we were, con- 
sisted of only a kitchen, filled by a large family of Hottentots, and a 
bed room occupied by the master and his wife, who was in momen- 
