DEATH OF MR. COWIE. 289 



turned with some of the papers to Mr. Fynn, who 

 dispatched one of Messrs. Egly's servants with them 

 to the Colony. 



" The name of the Governor of the Portuguese set- 

 tlement is Texeira. The party (excepting the inter- 

 preter) visited the Fort, where they stayed seven days, 

 and were kindly treated ; but previously to their 

 crossing the English River, the natives tried to per- 

 suade them not to go, lest they should be poisoned. 

 Of the origin of this suspicion no trace, unfor- 

 tunately, remains ; but the time and manner of the 

 deaths of the three individuals entirely exonerates 

 the Portuguese from so base an attempt. During 

 the period of their absence ail their horses died. 

 On the 4th of April Mr. Cowie was taken ill ; 

 he complained of his head, bled himself, and after- 

 wards made his will. In the afternoon he again had 

 recourse to venesection, and declared himself so 

 much relieved as to intend travelling in the morn- 

 ing. That night he expired, and was as decently 

 interred as circumstances would permit. The ensuing 

 day, the Hottentot Platje died. The interpreter 

 wished Mr. Green to leave him in his extremity, 

 as his life could not be saved ; Mr. Green, however, 

 declared that as long as the poor creature had 

 breath he would not desert him, but that as soon as 

 his fate should be decided, he would walk to the Co- 

 lony. Immediately after the death of Mr. Cowie, 

 Mr. Green appeared overwhelmed and stunned with 



vol. 1. u 



