of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. 2G I 



barley, as also carrot seed, as an experiment to know if they 

 would grow at that season. 



But he was disturbed in the midst of these occupations, 

 by complaints against Jan Blank , who was accused, " of 

 having been guilty of gross insolence towards the Commander 

 of the Yacht ;" and, being tried, was sentenced " to be dropped 

 from the yard-arm into the sea, and to be afterwards further 

 punished with 50 lashes." * Van Riebeck refers on this 

 occasion to the Sentence-book, in which, as this was the first 

 case of crime subject to corporal punishment, it is probable 

 the reasons for the sentence were mentioned, and the constitu- 

 tion of the Court described. And he adds, that it would be 

 found in the said book " Largo," which was his usual expres- 

 sion for more full and circumstantial details. A second case 

 of the same nature followed immediately after. 



He had, however, the gratification of seeing his wheat 

 spring up on the 10th. About the middle of the month he 

 perceived for the first time, that ice had been formed during 

 the night. A large quantity of game of every description, 

 particularly elands and other deer, appeared near his residence : 

 he laid snares for them, but was unsuccessful. He was much 

 pleased to see his vegetables thrive ; and he began to hope 

 that, " under God's blessings," he should be able to refresh 

 the ships touching here on their way from India. But, before 

 the month had expired, his expectations were, in a great 

 measure, frustrated by heavy rains and consequent inundations. 

 Several parts of the mountains were, for five or six days, 

 covered with snow ; and a considerable number of baboons ran 

 along the foot of Table Mountain. 



Three deaths occurred this month ; and the cold wet 

 weather occasioned the illness of 8 or 10 more of his people. 

 With the exception of some warm wine, he had nothing for 

 their refreshment; but he was not without hope that the 

 Saldanhians would soon arrive with cattle, and that he might 

 then obtain a large quantity for his people and for the ships 

 which were expected. 



August. — In the mean time, however, his main work was 

 proceeding, and on the 3d of August, every one left the 

 beach to reside in the fort, the north point of which, the 

 Heron, was already 16 feet in height, and in a complete state, 

 of defence. Many whales were again seen. Some days were 

 clear and fine, but the nights and mornings were extremely 

 cold. 



Provisions began to be stale and scarce, and, on the 13th of 

 this month, he assembled his Council in the fort for the first 

 time,t when it was resolved, to request from the ships expected 



* This sentence was carried into effect on the following day. 

 t Records of Council of that date. 



