292 ANGRA PEQUENA. [1828. 



mains exhibited the same appearance in both cases. Shags and pen- 

 guins had now taken entire possession of these two islands, in such 

 numbers that ships might procure any quantity of their eggs in the 

 months of September, October, and November ; and have them entirely 

 fresh, by clearing out the old from the nests, and gathering the new 

 every morning. These islands present the appearance of volcanic 

 productions of an ancient date, as do also some of the mountains in the 

 interior of the mainland. 



Navigators who visit this coast for the purpose of opening a trade 

 with the natives of the interior should make Angra Pequena their 

 principal rendezvous to the south. By travelling forty miles due east 

 from the sea, they will come to fresh water, and will meet with Hot- 

 tentots who are very friendly, and may be trusted. This excursion, 

 however, thus far, is not pleasant, being over a barren sandy desert; 

 but every mile you proceed farther the prospect brightens, the soil be- 

 comes rich and fertile, and the country abounds with all the produc- 

 tions of the climate. The inhabitants soon become numerous, and the 

 grassy plains are covered with immense herds of fine cattle. The 

 forests remote from the villages are the hunting grounds of the natives, 

 where they kill or take various kinds of wild beasts for their valuable 

 skins ; such as leopards, lions, zebras, gray foxes, <fcc, together with 

 birds of a beautiful plumage. Here are antelopes, sheep, and ostriches 

 in abundance ; elephants, jackals, ant-bears, porcupines, hedgehogs, 

 baboons, apes, monkeys, &c. The country to the north-east of Angra 

 Pequena abounds with ores and minerals, which, together with ivory, 

 ostrich feathers, and other valuable articles, can be had low. The 

 bay of Angra Pequena affords an immense quantity of excellent fish, 

 of many different kinds, which may be caught either with a hook and 

 line or a seine. 



Navigators have reported, and it is so marked on maps and charts, 

 that this region of the western coast of Africa is entirely desti- 

 tute of fresh water ; and that none is to be found between the sixteenth 

 and thirty-first degrees of south latitude. This idea is founded in 

 error ; for I have found many places, while travelling along near the 

 seashore on this coast, where fresh water may be had in any quantity 

 by digging very shallow wells. To the north of Angra Pequena, 

 about ten miles, there are many fine springs of excellent fresh water, 

 about one mile from the seacoast, where any quantity of the pure 

 limpid element can be obtained for a dozen ships at a time. The naiads 

 of these fountains are female Hottentots, who, like the damsels of Pa- 

 dan-aram, are drawing water for their flocks. They, as well as the 

 other sex, are very friendly, and will furnish a stranger with refresh- 

 ments, and the most trusty guides, if he wishes to penetrate the interior. 

 I have experienced their fidelity in many extensive excursions ; and 

 therefore speak from practical knowledge. Ten or twelve families are 

 generally near each of those springs. 



I can also refute another erroneous statement respecting this coast. It 

 is said there is a dangerous shoal lying between three and four leagues 

 to the west of Angra Pequena, in lat. 26° 35' S. But I can assert, with the 

 greatest degree of confidence, that there is but one shoal on any part 



