Fourth Journey (MS 107/3/1-2)
11th July 1779
transcription
[page 3]
[11th July 1779]
den 11
mooy weer. Stil. term.
48 - 66 - 56.
bragten onse ossen en het overige goed over de rivier, die gepasseerde nagt van den regen voor drie dagen by de drie voet geswollen was. langs dese rivier is het in dese tydt van 't jaar ongesont voor vee en paarden, men segt door het jonge gras. zy krygen de loop. een paard van van Rhenen stierf er gister van, en van Paterson was so flaauw dat hy het niet verder kon medenemen, dit is egter die dangereuse paardepest van dit land nog niet. spanden een uur voor sons ondergang in en reden 3 quart myl n:t:w: h:w: met eenige draayen, sanderige grond eerst, daar na losse caro grond, zynde losse rosse stuif klei. sloegen onse tent digt by oliphants rivier uit om den donkeren. de eerste nagt buiten de boeren zynde, maakten wy ons vrolijk.
translation
[page 3]
[11th July 1779]
The 11th
Fine weather, calm.
Thermometer: 48-66-56.
Brought the oxen and the remaining goods across the river. Last night, because it has been raining for three days, the river had risen by three feet. At this time of the year it is unhealthy for cattle and horses near this river. It is said that this is on account of the young grass. They get diarrhoea. Yesterday one of van Reenen’s horses died of this, and one of Paterson’s was so weak that he could not take it any further. It is however, not yet the dangerous horse-disease of this country. Inspanned an hour before sunset and rode three quarters of a mile in a north by west (half west) direction making a few turns. A sandy surface at first then loose Karoo soil; this being a loose friable, red clay. Pitched our tents at dusk close to the Oliphants River. Since this was our first night beyond the settled farms, we made merry.