Sept.] CAPE VOLTAS. 287 



might have been found in great abundance as far south as Elephant 

 River. Mr. Barrow says, " There is neither a volcano nor a vol- 

 canic product in the southern extremity of Africa, at least in any of 

 those parts where I have been ; nor any substances that seem to have 

 undergone the action of fire, except masses of iron-stone, found gene- 

 rally among the boggy earth, in the neighbourhood of some of the hot 

 springs, and which appear like the scoriae of furnaces. Pieces of 

 pumice-stone," he continues, " have been picked up on the shore of 

 Robben Island (or Seal Island, in the mouth of Table Bay), and on 

 the coast near Algoa Bay, which must have been wafted thither by the 

 waves, as the whole basis of this island is a hard and compact blue 

 schistus, with veins of quartz running through it ; and, of the eastern 

 coast, iron-stone and granite." 



If these remarks were intended to apply to the vicinity of Cape 

 Town, or even as far north as St. Helen's Bay, a distance of more 

 than a hundred miles from Table Bay, I have nothing to offer in oppo- 

 sition. But north of that, I must contend for volcanic remains. 



It is said that there is no fresh water to be had on this coast, north 

 of Cape Voltas. But this is an error ; as any quantity can be had in 

 Voltas Bay, in the rainy season, without the trouble of searching for it 

 under ground. But by digging, fresh water may be had at all seasons 

 of the year, at a short distance from the head of the bay, where the 

 landing is very safe and convenient, sheltered by two small islands 

 lying close to the beach, inside of which the water is perfectly smooth. 

 This is also a fine place to procure bullocks' hides, fox-skins, leopard- 

 skins, ostrich feathers, and many other valuable articles. 



For the lucrative business of "jerking beef," there is not a more 

 eligible situation on the whole surface of the globe ; as any number 

 of bullocks, in the finest order, may be purchased at fifty cents each, 

 delivered on the beach ; and for ten months in the year there is little 

 or no rain. By penetrating the interior forty or fifty miles from the 

 coast, which may be done with perfect safety, and without the slightest 

 personal risk, thousands of fine fat cattle may be purchased for as 

 many toys, and the bargain consummated under the guns of your vessel. 

 The natives are honest and inoffensive ; being in a state of nature, and 

 having never studied the arts of deceitful villany which are practised 

 so successfully by the children of civilization. 



Should any citizen feel disposed to fit out a vessel for the coast of 

 Africa, to procure a cargo of hides and other valuable articles, I will 

 cheerfully communicate every necessary information on the subject ; 

 a subject which I have deeply investigated, and can speak of from 

 practical knowledge. Such a voyage could not fail of being highly 

 profitable to the owners and every one concerned. Had I not subse- 

 quently made more valuable discoveries in the Pacific, and were I not 

 bound by every tie of humanity, as well as justice and honour, to 

 restore my two captives to their native country, to which they are very 

 anxious to retwrn, I would myself be the first to penetrate the interior 

 of Africa ; with full confidence that in twelve months after I arrived 

 on the coast, I could purchase, and have driven to the seacoast, 



