SOUTHERN AFRICA. 



CHAPTER II. 



JOURNEY FROM PORT ELIZABETH TO GRAHAM'S TOWN. 



Algoa Bay is exceediiig-ly open and exposed^ and the 

 anchorag-e very insecure. During- liig-h Avinds ships not 

 unfrequently g"o on shore, a tremendous surf often rendering- 

 it dang-erous, and at times even impossible, for boats to hind. 

 We were fortunate in being- able to prevail on the Port 

 Captain to take us ashore in his barg-e, a favour which our 

 uncouth habiUments rendered him somewhat cautious in 

 vouchsafing'. The town of Port Elizabeth, thoug-h rapidly 

 increasing-, does not consist of above one hundred and fifty 

 houses. It is built along- the sea-shore on the least eligible 

 site that could have been selected. The soil in the neig-h- 

 bourhood is a sandy loam, producing- fine crops of wheat and 

 barley without irrig-ation, its contig'uity to the sea affording- 

 sufficient moisture. 



We tarried a week at Mrs. Scorey's fashionable hotel, and 

 were actively eng-ag-ed in an attempt to purchase horses, 

 which we understood were to be obtained in the adjoining- 

 districts in considerable numbers, and of an excellent 

 quahty. It was with inconceivable difficulty, however, that 

 we at leng-th succeeded in procuring* two miserable quad- 

 rupeds, that appeared to have scarcely sufficient stamina to 

 carry us to Graham's Town. The recent Kafir war having- 

 trebled the price of every thing-, and of live stock in par- 

 ticular, the demands upon us were exorbitant. With the 

 assistance of Colonel Tripp, the Commanding- Officer at 

 Alg-oa, from whom we experienced g-reat kindness and hos- 



