THE CAPE. 15 



tifully situated, embosomed in groves of oranges, vines, &c., 

 at the foot of the Peak, and where we received great kind- 

 ness and hospitality, especially from the signoras. 



We were, however, again soon compelled to change all 

 these pleasures for the close and mephitic atmosphere of a 

 crowded ship in the tropics, and to run the gauntlet of long- 

 continued calms (so frequently met with during the mis- 

 taken navigation of those days), and every species of annoy- 

 ance, for about the space of three months, which elapsed 

 between our departure from TenerifFe and our arrival at 

 Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope, which we effected almost 

 totally minus provisions and water, our rigging hanging in 

 shreds about the masts, and with the loss of another anchor 

 and chain-cable, in False Bay. 



I now began to feel that I was realizing some of the 

 visions that my fancy had painted in such glowing colours 

 on my departure from England. The stupendous moun- 

 tains, sandy deserts, and wild scenery of the Coast of Africa 

 were immediately connected in my imagination with lions and 

 elephants, and I longed to commence operations as a Nimrod 

 without further delay. 



We were informed that we should probably be detained 

 a month, as the vessel had to undergo extensive repairs, as 

 well as to take in provisions, so that a party of us determined 

 on proceeding to Cape Town, and amusing ourselves as well 

 as we could during the interval. The interminable teams of 

 little horses with rope harness and light waggons, that 

 formed the mode of conveyance, and galloped up hill and 

 down dale, and by the side of frightful precipices, with undi- 

 minished speed and recklessness, are too well known to need 

 description. We hired one of these, and at day-break in the 

 morning were conveyed in a very short time the twenty 

 miles' distance between Simon's Bay and Cape Town. On 

 approaching the latter by a road leading through sometimes 



