with three waggons and a numerous retinue, accompanied also by several favourite dogs of a large rough breed, that Jacobs usually took with him in his excursions, a few sheep to be slaughtered for our use during the journey, together with an extra span of oxen as relays on the road. Our track lay over a wide plain, interspersed with stunted bushes, and diversified with rich and showy heaths in full blossom, presenting altogether an animated picture, from the variety of wild creatures, such as spring-boks, quaggas, gnus, and ostriches, that were to be seen in every direction. We crossed the Brack River, the water of which was so salt that the oxen, although they had been travelling some hours without having allayed their thirst, refused to drink it.

Continuing our course in a northerly direction, we at length discovered that we had mistaken our path, and were obliged to return for some distance over the rough and stony road we had already traversed, while the heat was most oppressive, the thermometer being from noon to four o'clock at 90° in the shade. As the sun was going down we reached the tent of a farmer who had resorted to this spot with his cattle, in consequence of a scarcity of water at his farm, the Boors in this district being frequently compelled to wander with their cattle, in search of this indispensable element, during certain seasons of the year. On reaching this primitive abode, we were cordially greeted by the farmer, who,

coming up, invited us into his tent with all that open frankness and simplicity of manners so characteristic of the Dutch Boors, and which, associated with the pastoral character of the surrounding scene, reminded me forcibly of the descriptions I had read of the patriarchal ages.

The farmer's son accompanied Jacobs and myself at an early hour on the following morning, with another waggon, intending to bring a load of timber for his own use from the banks of the Orange River. Our journey lay over a vast and undulating plain, along the base of some very high mountains, the country around being covered with the richest verdure. Heaths of the most beautiful description were in full blossom, and, as our waggon crushed them in its progress, exhaled a most powerful aromatic perfume. This extraordinary fertility was attributable to the heavy rains that had fallen in the early part of the season, imparting to this usually desert country the appearance of an extensive and highly-cultivated garden. As, however, the hot weather had now begun to set in, it was not likely long to retain its hues of rich and varied vegetation.

About three o'clock in the afternoon we came up to the tent of farmer Breda, an extensive grazier, related to Jacobs, who was said to be one of the richest Boors in the Winterveld, having a flock of ten thousand sheep besides other cattle, though dwelling with his wife and family in tents; and con

stantly migrating from one place to another for the sake of water. Breda stated that a few days before our arrival, some of his people had shot a very fine lion. He informed us, that lions were generally to be heard in the neighbourhood of an evening, particularly before rain or change of weather, when their roaring was most terrific; stating that his dogs and fires were his principal defence against their attacks, but that when they were really hungry, neither dogs nor anything else could prevent their depredations on the flocks. He observed, that he must expect to suffer occasionally from their incursions, as he was living in the lions' country, and the prey thus carried off he regarded as a tribute to the monarch of the forest.

After remaining here two or three hours, during which the thermometer stood in the shade at 96°, we proceeded, in order to avail ourselves of the cool of the evening, and uitspanned about midnight at Rooye Porte, so called from the nature of the soil, a kind of red sand, and Porte signifying the door, or opening, to the immense plain on which we afterwards entered. The next day we arrived at the banks of the Brack River near Kaabi's Kraal, where we found our stock of sheep considerably reduced, some having died from the excessive heat, and others being for the same reason unable to proceed. The dogs also had dropped off, one by one, seeking such shelter as was afforded by every straggling bush

during the ardency of the mid-day rays.

arrival at this spot, we found that they had altogether deserted us, and were not afterwards to be found. We remained here during the night; forming our four waggons into a square, within which we enclosed the cattle, and encircling it with large fires to protect them from the lions. From the extremely rarefied state of the atmosphere, the stars shone with an extraordinary brilliancy, and the moon was exceedingly bright, as is usually the case in this quarter of the world. Our quiet was continually disturbed by the shrill cry of jackals and hyænas prowling about our encampment.

As we proceeded on the following morning over a continuation of the same plain, which was here covered with coarse high grass and rushes, about the middle of the day, Jacobs suddenly stopping his waggon, which was in advance, called out" Gemsbok!" I immediately took out my telescope, and saw a magnificent animal standing at some distance, gazing at our cavalcade. We instantly saddled our horses, and sent a Hottentot by a circuitous route to endeavour, if possible, to turn and drive it towards us. At first it bounded away with great speed; but on finding itself closely pursued, turned and rushed towards the Hottentot, who was considerably in advance of us. Being now within a hundred yards of the animal, I alighted from my horse and fired, when it bent its neck between its

fore-legs in the attitude of attack; but, on my firing again, it fell dead. As soon as Jacobs came up, he began to examine a gland in the front of the throat about the size of an egg, by which he was enabled to judge of the condition of the animal, the flesh being considered superior to that of any other antelope. Soon after it was slain we observed a flight of vultures hovering over the spot, a circumstance the more remarkable as the plain was very extensive, and previously to my shooting the animal, not a bird was to be seen in the spacious and cloudless sky.

The son of a Boor, who accompanied me, stated that he once had a narrow escape from a gems-bok, which he was pursuing after he had wounded it: the enraged animal rushed towards him, and thrust its horns into the body of his horse, throwing him off with considerable violence. Klaas, one of my Hottentot servants, assured me that he once saw the carcases of a lion and gems-bok, near the banks of the Gamka River, which appeared to have engaged each other in mortal combat. Jacobs also stated that an old lion would never offer to attack the gems-bok, and that he had himself witnessed this fact on several occasions.

The thermometer was now at 101°, and we began to experience the want of water. Our people eagerly followed the tracks of wild animals, under the impression that they would lead to a spring, but were disappointed in their expectations, all the pools