avan as they passed. At night they had made
twenty-five miles, and before they had unyoked, a deluge 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. Anything, 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. This 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 TWENTY EIGHT.

As the cattle required some repose, after the sufferings they had gone
through, our travellers 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 travellers 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 revelled on the luxurious pasture, and in a
week had become quite sleek and in good condition.

Every day our travellers 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 travellers 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