Fourth Journey (MS 107/3/1-2)
19th July 1779
transcription
[19th July 1779]
19
mooy weer oost lugtje. heeft kout geweest en fris gewaayt dese nagt.
term: 44 - 33 - 70.
vertrokken n:t:w: op en arriveerden na drie ½ uur rydens aan de swarte doornrivier die uitkomt oost midden agter uit de Camiesberg en in groene rivier loopt sy liep even had weinig en brak dog drinkbaar water.
langs dese rivieren dewelke die naamen niet verdienen staan altydt mimosa of doornbomen. spanden hier wat uit en trokken met deselvde coers om vyf uren verder voort spannende na vier uren rydens langs de groene rivier uit. die niet groter was als Swarte doorn rivier, dog beter water had komende west midden uit de Camies bergen dewelke wy ten n. van ons sagen lykende van verre als de piketbergen. sogten na de legplaats in de regentyd, van eenen van de westhuisen dog vonden hem niet. het zelfde terrein van dag seer brak en geen gras. sag een trop struisen en schooten een korhaan.
translation
[19th July 1779]
19
Thermometer: 44-33-70.
Fine weather, light east wind. It was cold and there was a fresh breeze last night.
Departed north by west and after travelling for three and a half hours arrived at the Swart Doring River that comes from the east behind the middle of the Kamiesberg and flows into the Groen River. It was barely flowing and had a little water, brack but still drinkable. Along these rivers which do not deserve that name, there are always mimosa or thorn trees. Outspanned here for a while and then at five o’clock went on in the same direction. After a four hours' journey we outspanned alongside the Groen River, which was no bigger than the Swart Doring, although it had better water. It comes from the west in the middle of the Kamies Berg which we saw to the north of us. From afar they look like the Piketberg. Looked for the stock-farm of a certain Van der Westhuisen which is used on the rainy season; but did not find it. The same terrain today, very brack and no grass. Saw a herd of ostriches and shot a korhaan.