as on that element, the mind was as little diilra&ed by a multiplicity
of objefts; for in vain did the eye wander in fearch of
tree, or lofty ihrub, or blade of grafs, or living creature. On
every fide a wide fpreading plain, barren as its fouthern boundary
the Black Mountains, prefented nothing but a dreary wade,
“ a land of defolation.” On approaching the river Ghamka
the face of the country changed a little for the better. Large
mimofas ikirted its banks, among which were alfo mingled a
fpecies of willow with a narrow ferrated leaf,' a rhus, and the
lyceum afrum. A confiderable ftream of water rolled over the
bed of the river. Here we met with hares, partridges, mountain
geefe, and wild ducks of two kinds, in great abundance.
The blue fchiftus broke out on the banks of the river, and ftill
continued to run dire£tly eaft and well in parallel ridges.
That part of the Lion’s river where we were encamped was
diftant only about twelve miles from a chafm or kloof in the
Zwarteberg, in the very mouth o f which was faid to be a
farm-houfe, and feveral others behind the mountains. As
thefe houfes all belonged to the diftrid of GraafF Reynet, the
landroft was not without hopes of procuring the loan of freih
teams of bullocks. Many of our own had already died, others
were left on the defert, and the reft were quite exhaufted by
the effeds of the cold, o f bad water, and little food. We
therefore quitted the dired road, and turned off towards
Zwarteberg. A few miles before we arrived at the kloof, a
party of men, mounted on horfeback, were obferved to be
making for the waggons in full gallop. In coming up with
the firft, they ftopt lhort and fired a difcharge of mufquetry.
They
They loaded again, rode up to the fécond., and fired a fécond
volley : this they repeated before every waggon, and then fet
off in full gallop the fame way they had approached, and were
out of fight in a few minutes. This manoeuvre was intended
as doing honor to the landroft ; and fuch a welcome reception,
fo very different from that he had experienced on
a former occafion from the inhabitants of the firft divi-
fion of his diftrid, was no bad omen of the change of ien-
timents,- or of conduit at leaft, that had taken place fince his
expulfion. /v
After â journey of nine days over a dreary and barren defert^
the traces of human induftry, though in a wild, fequeftered
corner, hemmed in by huge barren mountains, had no lefs
charms than the difcovery of land, after a long fea- voyage, to
the weary paffenger. We found here not only a moft friendly
reception, but alfo fiich refrelhments as we began to be in want
of. Two kinds of wine, the produce o f the placé, were very
tolerable. Various forts of fruits, all of good quality. The
oranges were already ripe and gathered, and the peach and
almond trees were in full bloffom. Vegetables were unufually
luxuriant in their growth : fome of the cauliflowers meafured
eighteen inches in diameter. The rapidity of vegetation, at
this place, appéared the more remarkable on account of its
fituation at the feet of mountains whofe fummits were buried
in fnow. s It was, however, expofed only to the warm north,
and completely fcrèened from all other winds. The thermometer,
during the three days we remained here, was never
lower than 46°, at the fame time that, the appearance of the
-1. . . . 0 2 weather