1 69 1.] ISLE ROBBEX. 29 



The Idth in the Evening we saw and knew the Cape of 

 Good Hope, but lost sight of it again in a great Fog, which 

 rose on a sudden, and oblig'd us to keap to Sea all that 

 Night. 



The next day we drew near and saw the Isle Eohhen} 

 which is at the entrance of the Port. This little Island is 

 flat, and has no Dwellings upon it but some Hutts where 

 the Lime-hurncrs live, when they are sent thither to make 

 it. 



All of us had a long while earnestly desir'd to arrive at 

 the Cape, for we all wanted Eefreshment extreamly, being 

 almost eaten up with the Scurvy, and the Grapes beginning to 

 ripen, the Season, was very favourable to us. After having 

 Coasted along the Cape two days, sometimes with a Larboard, 

 and sometimes with a Starboard Tack, because of the con- 

 trary Wind and Current, we at last enter'd the Bay the 26^/i 

 of January 1691 and cast Anchor about four in the After- 

 noon, 



Tho' this seems to be an admirable Bay, its vast Bason being 

 enclos'd on one side by a ridge of Mountains, and on the 

 other by a long tract of Earth, which seems instead of a Mole 

 for it. 'Tis however very often dangerous to ride in, the 



1 Robben (so called from the seals which used to inhabit it) or 

 Penguin Island lies five miles N.E. from Green Point, at the entrance 

 to Table Bay, and three miles from Blaauwberg beach, the northern 

 boundary of the bay. A constantly northern current sets out between 

 Eobben Island and the mainland : added to which the wind blows 

 with great violence from the S.E. In dark or hazy weather many 

 ships have sailed right upon Green Point, without seeing land, whilst 

 their masts were seen over the fog from the elevated ground, so it is a 

 prudent course for a stranger not to beat into the bay in thick 

 weather, but to keep off until it is clearer. 



" On laisse sur la gauche en entrant unelsle assez basse nommee I'Tsle 

 Robin, au milieu delaquelle les HoUandois ont arbore leur Pavilion. lis 

 y releguent ceux du pais, & meme ceux des Indes qu'ils veulent punir 

 de banissement & les obligent d'y travailler a la chaux, qu'ils font des 

 coquillages, que la Mer y jette." {Pere Tachard, 1686.) 



