NARRATIVE. 213 



CHAPTER III. 



Bakkow. — Government-House. — Town. — Waterins: Place. — Alcade 



— Vegetation. — Arabic. 



"S> 



1 MADE an excursion to Bakkow, or Cape St. Mary's, the 

 extreme southern point of the main land at the river's mouth, and 

 was very much struck with the healthiness and superiority of its 

 situation : a house has been built there for convalescent officers, 

 who seldom fail to regain their strength, after a short residence in 

 it. It is exposed to every sea breeze, and sheltered from the winds 

 which blow during the rains. It is of such considerable elevation, 

 even above the town, that all the water must run from it durinff 

 that season. The soil about it is composed of, what appeared to 

 me to be, red ochreous earth, and covered with a thin layer of sand, 

 probably diifted there by the wind, but it is better a httle way 

 from the sea. The only objection is the distance from the 

 spring, which is perhaps a mile from the house ; probably, this 

 might be remedied at a considerable expense, by boring a well ; 

 but a couple of St. Jago asses could easily carry all the water 

 daily required by a large family. 



For commercial purposes, this place would certainly not answer, 

 as there is too much difficulty in getting to it ; and its immediate 

 neighbourhood would not affisrd a sufficient trade : added to this, 

 during a strong wind, or a high tide, the surf beats too violently 



