A DANGEROUS COAST. 41 



considered an advantage, as he has been doing " The 

 Eed, White, and Blue " with more than usual vehe- 

 mence, and more or less variations ; but he is as irre- 

 pressible as the nigger was said to be in America. Let 

 others judge and think of him as they like ; to me he 

 appears a big, kindly -hearted child, incapable of over- 

 coming his one great failing. 



East London, our next anchorage, is very pretty at 

 this season ; the hill- sides were beautifully green, and 

 here and there studded with white tents and covered 

 wagons, the property of persons who have come from 

 the interior to enjoy the luxury of sea-bathing. But 

 what a dangerous harbour or open roadstead it possesses ! 

 Look at the surf even now, when there is scarcely suffi- 

 cient wind to move an ostrich plume, and tell me where 

 you have seen a more difficult landing. In a south- 

 east gale it must simply be terrific. Cargo-boats do not 

 delay here ; they must make their hay while the sun 

 shines, for no one knows what a single hour may bring 

 forth. Even while we gaze on that dreadful snow- 

 encompassed beach of surf, there is a yell on shore, 

 echoed from the ship, for a large whale-boat with six 

 men in it has capsized. I believe no lives in this 

 instance were lost, but it is painful to witness how feeble 

 and puny are the exertions of the strongest human being 

 when placed in such a position. East London, I have 

 stated, is very pretty, but, like the careful mariner, I 

 would sooner give it a wide berth on the seaboard. 



Lying close along by the coast of British KafFraria, 

 our good little ship rapidly carries us to our destination, 

 Port Durban. The shores are not elevated enough to 

 be termed grand, but they are exceedingly attractive, and 

 in many places diminutive cascades of fresh water tumble 



