At daylight the oxen were yoked, and they proceeded on their journey.  There was no want of game; indeed they were so plentiful, that they shot them from the caravan 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.  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.