AFRICAN CASCADE ON THE ORANGE


RIVER.
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AFRICAN CASCADE ON THE ORANGE


RIVER.


Having crossed the southern branch,
which at this season is but an inconsderable
creek, we continued to follow the Korannas,
for several miles. through the dense acacia
ferests, while the laundering sound of the
cataract Increased at every step. at length
VIC reached a ridge Of rocks, and found it
necessary to disnount, and follow our guides
OH foot.


1t seemed as if We were now entering the
untrodden vestibulc &C one OF natures most
sublime temples, and the untutored savages
who guided US cvinced by the awe and cir
cumspcction with which they trod, that
they were not altogether uninhuenced by
the gcniHs ioci. They repeatedly requested
me to keep behind, and follow them softly
for the precipiccs were dangerous for the
feet of men; and the sight and sound of the
cataract were so fearful, that they them
selves reg ,rdcd the place with ave, and
ven,urcd but seldom to visit it.


At length the whole Of them halted, and
desired me to DO the same. One of them
stepped forward 10 the brink Of the preci-
bicc, and having looked cautiously over
beckoned me TO advance. did 50, ant
witnessed a curious and striking scene, bu


it was not vet the waterfall. 1t was rapid
formed by almost the whole volume OF the
river, compressed into narrow channel oi
not more than fifty yards i'll breadth, whence


it descended at an angle OF nearly as, and
rushing tumuItuously through black and
crooked chasm among the rocks, OF fright
full depth, escaped in torrent OF foam. My
swarthy guides, although this was unques-
tionably the first time they had ever led a
traveller to view the remarkable scenery OF
their country, cvinced degree OF tact, as
ciceroni as well as natural feeling, Ct the
picturesque. that equally pleased and sur
prised me- Having forewarned me that this
was not vet the waterfall, they now pioneer
ed the way for about a mile farther along
the rocks, some of them keeping near, and
continually cautioning Inc to look to my iect,
as a single false step might precipitate me
into the raging abyss of waters; the tumut oi
which seemed to shake even the solid
rocks around us.


At length we halted, as before, and the
next moment was lead to projecting rock,
where a scene burst upon me, tar surpass-
ing my most sanguine expectations, The
whole water of the river (cXcrpt what es-
canes by the subsidiary channel we had
crossed. and hv similar one Oh the north
side being previously confined to bed OF
scarcely one hundred feet in breadth, de-
sccnds at once in a magnificent cascade oi
full four hundred feet in height. stood
upon a clff nearly level with the top # the
fail, and directly III front of it. The beaus
of the evening sun tell upon the cascade,
and occasoned a most splendid RAINBOW;
while the vapoury msts arising from the
broken roar os the waterfall, and the tunul :
tuous boiling and whirling of the stream be-
low. striving to escape along its deep, dark,
and narrow path, formed altogether COM
bination of beauty and grandeur, such as |
never before witnessed. AS ga2ed on TINS
stnpendous scene, felt as if in dream
The sublmity of nature drowned all apPre-
tensions of danger; and after short pause,
| hastily left the spot where stood to gam
nearer view from a cliff that impended
over the foaming gulf ! had just reached
this station when felt myself grasped all
at once bv four korannas, who simultaneous
! IL seized hold of me by the arms and legs.
nv first impression was that they were So
inr to hurl me over the precipice; but 1t
was a momentarv thought, and it wronged
the friendly savages. They are themselves
timid race; and they were alarmed, lest
nv temerty should lead ME into danger
.rhey hurried me back from the brink, and
then explained their motive, and asked my
forgiveness. ! was not ungrateful Tor their
care, though somewhat annoyed by their Of
ficiousness.-[ 7homhson's Southern 'ftr'cQ'