JOURNEY II. 279 
any of them, as they are nearly deftroyed for 800 miles 
from the Cape. The farmers fhoot them for their flefh, 
which they efteem as good as pork ; and of their hide, 
which is extremely thick, they make whips. There 
happened at this time a great flood, that prevented our 
eroding the river at this place, and obliged us to tra- 
vel four days up the river to a ferry, which greatly 
retarded our journey, and occafloncd many difficulties by 
the deepnefs of the fand and brackifhnefs of the water; 
nor is there any wine or fruit in this part of the country, 
owing to the faltnefs of the foil. 
Odt. 6th, We came to the pont or ferry, where we col- 
lected a great number of beautiful plants, particularly 
ixia 9 irides , and gladioli . 
7th, We crolfed the Berg Rivier, and entered a fine 
plain country, called 24 Rivieren DiftriCl; fo called from 
the number of fmall rivulets which run through that 
diftriCt, and difeharge into the Berg Rivier. Here we had 
fome four wines, and oranges and lemons in great plenty. 
9th, We pafled a branch of that chain of mountains 
which I mentioned in my firft journey. They continue 
for many miles further to the N.W. gradually diminifh- 
ing in height to the Weflern fhore. This paffage over 
the mountains is called Kartouw, and is remarked for 
being one of the moft difficult in this part of Africa; 
which we found true, being obliged to lead our liorfes 
for three hours amidft inceflant rain, which made the 
road fo flipper y that, by often tumbling among the 
loofe flones, they had their legs almofl: ftripped of the 
'C fkin ; 
