of rain again fell, and
they passed a very uncomfortable night, as it was very cold, and they
could light no fires, from want of fuel. Any thing, however, was better
than the want of water; and early in the morning they again yoked their
oxen, and, after a hard day's toil, were rejoiced to perceive at a
distance the trees which lined the banks of the Modder River. The sight
was hailed with joy by the Hottentots, who shouted aloud; for they
considered their dangers and difficulties to be over, now that they were
approaching to the boundaries of the colony.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

As the cattle required some repose, after the sufferings they had gone
through, our travelers resolved to remain a few days on the banks of the
Modder River. The pasturage was fine and the game abundant. Gnoos and
springboks were to be seen in every direction, and quaggas, bonteboks,
and several other varieties of antelopes, were in profusion over the now
undulating country. Neither were our travelers sorry to have some repose
for themselves, although every mile that they drew nearer to the Cape
made them more anxious to return.

As usual, the caravan was halted on a rising ground, at some distance
from the river, to avoid the wild beasts, which during the day were
concealed, and during the night prowled on its banks, to spring upon the
animals which came down for water. As there was now plenty of wood, the
fires were again lighted at night, and the oxen driven in and tied up.
During the day, the animals reveled on the luxurious pasture, and in a
week had become quite sleek and in good condition.

Every day our travelers went out to hunt for a supply of provisions, and
never returned without more than was sufficient. Swinton was anxious to
possess one or two more specimens of the oryx, or gemsbok. This
antelope, we have before observed, from having very straight horns,
which at a distance appear as one, has given rise to the fabulous animal
the unicorn, which is now one of the supporters of the royal arms. It is
a very formidable animal; being the one that our travelers found with
its horns pierced through the lion which had attacked it. The horses
being now fresh and in good heart, Alexander and the Major went in
pursuit of this animal very often, but without success, as the chase was
continually interrupted by the herds of ostriches and other game which
fell in their way.

One morning, having discovered with the telescope that three of