1779. We prevailed upon our friend, Hermannias Engelbright, to v — 1 accompany us in our intended expedition; and he took with him three good horfes. We then directed our courfe north, over a rugged path, involved in many turnings between the branches of the Camis Berg ; and in the evening of the twenty- fecond, came to a Hottentot village, which confifted of eleven huts, where we flayed all night. The next day we continued our journey to the houfe of one Vfinder Hever, where we remained till the following evening, and then proceeded on our journey till midnight, when we reached the Copper Mountain. The water at this place was brackifh. In the afternoon of the twenty-fifth, we proceeded to the Small Copper Bergs Fountain, where we had tolerably good water. Here I made an excurfion along the hills, which have - all a rugged appearance, and moft of them contain copper-ore. We continued our journey to the Small Brack Fountain, where we faw the freih print of Lions, and proceeded to the Great Brack Fountain. Here we met feveral Hottentots who had been at the Great Nimiqua Land, exchanging cattle for beads and tobacco. They told us that the river was paffable, but feemed rather to fwell when they left it, which was the day before. We flayed here a couple of days, and ranged the adjacent part of the country, where I found feveral plants that I had never before obferved. We next directed our courfe north by eaft, through a fandy '779- - . # J O&ober. plain; and after travelling about four miles, found a large '— *-—> rock of a conical figure, where was a fmall fountain of freih water. There were feveral Hottentots who came from the Orange River. One of them was a good markfman, and on that account we took him with us. After travelling till next day, we were obliged to flop to reft our cattle at about the diftance of fix miles from the river. On the firft of October I left the waggon, in company with Meffrs.Van Renan and Engelbright, and directed my courfe to the river. On our firft arrival we were all in great hopes that it was paffable, but were foon convinced of the contrary. We then refolved to proceed to the eaftward, and after fome days arrived at a Hottentot village, fituate by a large wood on the banks of the river. Here we were informed that Colonel Gordon was about one day’s journey to the eaftward, and that he intended to leave his boat at that place. I fent one of the Hottentots to beg him to allow us to make ufe of it, in order to tranfport ourfelves over the river, which was other wife im- paffable; but before he returned the river began to decreafe with great rapidity. On the feventh I made an excurfion through the woods. I found them inhabited by variety of Birds and Monkies, which are exceedingly fhy. They live on the gum of the Mimofa Nilitico. There are feveral paths made by Elephants and Hippopotami. The country is every where equally barren; the foil is a loofe fandy clay. Along the banks of the river was | I: II
27f 61
To see the actual publication please follow the link above