C H A P . V III. Journey through Lange Dal. ,77!. A N N the 9th day of Oitober we departed from Houtniquas, U returning over the great and little Brak rivers to Geelbek-rivier, from whence to Hagel-craal and Artaquas- feloofy whither we went the next day: there were two roads. The one, which was better cleared and more beaten, though farther to the weft of the laft-mentioned river, we fent our waggon by; and took the other road, though it was hilly, ourfelves, being advifed fo to do, as it was a nearer way on horfeback. By a trifling negledt, one often lofes a great deal; and we, by loitering a little on the road, were difappointed of our night’s lodging, being overtaken hy the darkneis and rain; ft> that, although we were near the farm whither we were going, and heard the barking o f their dogs, and the crowing of their cocks, we were not able to hit upon the ipot. After many fruit- lefs attempts, and. getting into the roads that led to the paftures, and other by-ways that took us into thickets, and dire£tly againft the fteep parts of mountains, we at laft thought we had hit upon the right road, when we found in our way a river deeper than any we had hitherto, in our our bewildered fituation, ventured to crofs. It is true, we were not afraid of being foufed a little by going through the water, as the rain had made us almoft as wet as we well could be; but neither of us chofe to be the firft to venture over, for fear o f there being fome hole or oozy part in our way. I therefore drove before us over the river, on the forlorn hope, as it were, an old horie that I led in hand along with me. No fooner had he got over than he fet off full gallop, and freed himfelf in an in- ftant from the confinement in which we had kept him the whole day; while we, wet, cold, and hungry (having eaten nothing all day long but a flight breakfaft) were obliged, after feveral more unfuccefsful attempts, to pafs the night in the open air, expofed to the wind and rain. That we might not fo eafily be attacked unawares by tigers, we got away from the river and vale, which was full o f buihes, on to the mountain, and there took the faddles off our horfes near a bufh that flood quite feparate and alone. Hard- by was a precipice, which we fortunately perceived time enough to be able to be upon our guard againft it.: Having tied our horfes halters round their fore legs, a method very common in Africa, we then let them feed on the other fide, with a view, that i f any lion ihould come: upon us, he might firft find employment with them; and at the fame time, that if a wolf ihould make its appearance, the horfes ihould not run off. The reafon of this precaution, will appear by referring to page 1.60, In the night, when we felt ourfelyes almoft ftiff with cold, we wandered up and down, and frequently fell down on the top o f the mountain, which was gteafy and flip.- perv, tiv y Oftober.
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