206 THE SEA. 



the fort also, as he landed at the jetty, where he was received by a guard of honour of 

 the 99th Regiment. A short distance from the landing-place, at the entrance to the 

 main street, was a pretty arch, decorated with flowering shrubs, and the leaves of the 

 silver-tree. On his way to this his Royal Highness was met by a deputation from 

 the inhabitants of Simon's Town and of the Malay population. " This was a very 

 interesting sight; the chief men, dressed in Oriental costumes, with bright-coloured robes 

 and turbans, stood in front, and two of them held short wands decorated with paper flowers 

 of various colours. The Duke shook hands with them, and then they touched him with 

 their wands. They seemed very much pleased, and looked at him in an earnest and 

 affectionate manner. Several of the Malays stood round with drawn swords, apparently 

 acting as a guard of honour. The crowd round formed a very motley group of people 

 of all colours negroes, brown Asiatics, Hottentots, and men, women, and children of 

 every hue. The policemen had enough to do to keep them back as they pressed up close 

 round the Duke." After loyal addresses had been received, and responded to, the Prince 

 and suite drove off for Cape Town, the ride to which is graphically described by the 

 chaplain and artist of the expedition. " The morning was very lovely. Looking to 

 seaward was the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Hanglip, and the high, broken shores of 

 Hottentot Holland, seen over the clear blue water of the bay. The horses, carriages, 

 escort with their drawn swords, all dashing at a rattling pace along the sands in the 

 bright sunshine, and the long lines of small breakers on the beach, was one of the most 

 exhilarating sights imaginable. In places the cavalcade emerged from the sands up on 

 to where the road skirts a rocky shore, and where at this season of the year beautiful 

 arum lilies and other bright flowers were growing in the greatest profusion. About four 

 miles from Simon's Bay, we passed a small cove, called Fish-hook Bay, where a few 

 families of Malay fishermen reside. A whale they had killed in the bay the evening 

 before lay anchored ready for ' cutting in/ A small flag, called by whalers a ( whiff/ 

 was sticking up in it. We could see from the road that it was one of the usual southern 

 ' right ' whales which occasionally come into Simon's Bay, and are captured there. After 

 crossing the last of the sands, we reached Kalk Bay, a collection of small houses where 

 the people from Cape Town come to stay in the summer. As we proceeded, fresh carriages 

 of private individuals and horsemen continued to join on behind, and it was necessary 

 to keep a bright look-out to prevent them rushing in between the two carriages containing 

 the Duke and Governor, with their suites. Various small unpretending arches (every 

 poor man having put up one on his own account), with flags and flowers, spanned the 

 road in different places between Simon's Town and Farmer Peck's, a small inn about 

 nine miles from the anchorage, which used formerly to have the following eccentric 

 sign-board : 



'THE GENTLE SHEPHERD OF SALISBURY PLAIN. 



' FARMER PECKS. 



' Multum in Parvo ! Pro bono publico ! 

 Entertainment for man or beast, all of a row, 

 Lekher kost, as much as you please ; 

 Excellent beds, without any fleas. 



