here ¿lakes its appearance again. But on the mountain itself, I did
not observe a single plant deserving the name of tree.
From the edge of the mountain, we had a very extensive view
over the Karro bounded by the Bokkeveld mountains to the south;
but the weather being cloudy and showery, many other mountains
which, under a clearer sky, may be seen from here, could not at this
time be distinguished.
Having had the necessary assistance of the voorspans in getting
the waggons up this toilsome and difficult ascent, I finally dismissed
them, intending in future to travel with my own oxen. We waited
no longer than was requisite for changing the teams; after which
we proceeded at a brisk pace, the road, or, to speak more correctly,
the track worn down by the colonists* waggons, being level and
free from every obstruction.
The pack-waggon- led the way, and was a good distance in
advance, when it was observed suddenly to drop to the ground;
surprised at so strange and unexpected an accident, we hastened forward,
and discovered that the main bolt, which passes through the
iron langwagen and connects the fore and after axletrees, not
having been properly secured, had fallen o u t; and the consequence
was, as we had seen, that the after axletree with its wheels parted
from the rest, and all the contents of the waggon tumbled out upon
the road. At first, we were fearful that some principal part was
broken; but, on examination, had the satisfaction to find that it was
an accident we could ourselves rectify. We were detained nearly
two hours in reloading and putting every thing in order again.
The country in which we were now travelling, is called the
Middel Roggeveld (Middle Rye-land); the Onder (Further) Roggeveld,
lies north-north-westward, and joins the Han tarn division ; and
the Kleine (Little) Roggeveld lying eastward, joins the division of
Nieuwveld (New-land). I saw none of the wild rye which has b.een
said to be so abundant as to give the name to this district; but this
might be owing to the season of the year.
We had now taken leave of the inhabited part of the colony,
and with it all intercourse with white men. From these no assistance
could, in future, be obtained : all noyr depended upon ourselves/
a solitary party roaming over an almost trackless land.
The wind blew cold and boisterous, and clouds obscured the
moon, when we discovered the ruins of a hut, of which nothing but
the walls remained.* Here we took shelter, for the night. Never was
there more occasion for a fire than at this time, and seldom have we
had more difficulty in finding fuel: the thermometer was six degrees
below the freezing point, and the bleak wind scattered the very ashes
of our fire as fast as they were burnt. My fingers being too much
benumbed to hold the pen, I was compelled to neglect my journal
till the next day! j*
1th. The common crow, or that which is most extensively dispersed
over the colony, is one of a shining purple-black color, with a white
neck.X Great numbers frequent the Roggeveld: they approached us
without fear, to pick up the scraps of meat; and would hardly
move out of the way of the dogs, till they approached within a
few paces.
The road this day was remarkablysmooth, andbetter for travelling,
even than those of the Karro. The country was very level, having, here
and there, a few ¡eminences; in many places, however, it is rocky.
Scarcely a blade of grass is here to be found; but in its place, the
surface is clothed with low bushes, all bearing marks of having
been closely browsed upon by the innumerable flocks of sheep
which cover the Roggeveld in the summer season. All the strata
of the hills were horizontal; and the- geological features appeared
quite different from those of the neighbourhood of the Gape of
* This spot is pointed out on my map by the words Freezing Station.
f The. plants noted in my catalogue this day, were—
Ancistrum latebrosum ■ Arctotis
Alyssum glomeratum. C. G. 1304* Hemimeris
Oxalis lupinifolia Selago
Gnidia? cyanea. C.G. 1316* 1. . Pelargonium
Calendula . , Polygala
' Septas Cineraria, and Parmelia.
^ La Corneille a scapulaire blanc. Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. pi. 53.
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