S E C O N D J O U R N E Y, 4S 
north of the Cape. We travelled all this day without finding ^77^. 
a drop of water; and in the evening arrived at a hnufe called 
the Staart, which is pleafantly fituated on the banks of a 
fmall river. Here we amnfed ourfelves with fhooting wild 
ducks, and a fpecies of Reed-hens, which we found in great 
plenty ; and fo little accuftomed to purfuit, that they were not 
in any degree fliy. 
On the nineteenth, we proceeded along the Verkered Vak 
ley ; which is thus denominated, from the river which courfes 
through it taking a dire^fion different from that of any other 
in this country. At the time we were there it was quite full. 
We were now advancing towards the Coud Bokke Veld, or 
the Cold Country of Antelopes ; the mountains of which were 
covered with fnow ; v/hich frequently remains upon their 
fummits till the mondt of November. 
On the twentieth, we arrived at a houfe fituated on the 
north-eafl fide of the Whitfon Berg, or White Hill, where we 
remained all night. The people informed us of the danger 
of croffing the Great Karo, not only from its being a defart 
country, but alfo from parties of the Bofhmen Hottentots, who 
were at war with the Dutch ; and were often lurking about to 
fall in with Europeans. They gave us inftances of perfons 
having been wounded by their poifoned arrows ; and that they 
were very feldom cured. Notwithflanding their good advice, 
we determined to crofs the country, keeping as much on our 
guard as poflible. On the twenty-firfi, we directed our courfe 
north ; and in the evening took up our lodgings on the fide 
