1812. 
EPIDEMIC COMPLAINT. 
137 
was lodged ; but I replied, that had so good a shelter presented 
itself the night before, I should not at this time have been so unwell. 
Thej pressed me to quit the place, and were desirous of taking 
me to the village, where I should find every necessary refreshment 
and attention. I resisted all their kind solicitations, as I felt too 
indisposed to be able to move ; but promised, if the fever left me 
in the night, that I would be at GraafFreynet, on the following day. 
With this they took leave : and I once more covered myself up with 
my blankets. 
Towards evening, the fever and hoarseness increased, and with 
the addition of a violent head ache, prevented all sleep. I endeavoured 
in various ways to excite perspiration ; but without success. 
25th. In the morning, however, my remedies had their full 
effect, and greatly relieved my pain. I have described my illness 
more particularly than I should otherwise have done, because it was, 
as I afterwards learnt, a species of ' influenza^ which had pervaded the 
whole Colony. Few escaped its attack ; and I was told that in Cape 
Town alone, six thousand persons had been seized with it ; although 
comparatively, few had died. A similar complaint was not known to 
have ever visited the settlement before. This epidemic, after passing 
over the whole Colony, for I never could hear of any symptoms 
beyond the boundary, was now on the decline, or supposed to have 
expended itself ; but the air was not yet cleared from its pestilential 
quality, and we, unfortunately, arrived just in time to prove, that 
it had ceased, only because it found no more subjects to act upon. 
I was still in bed when the landdrost returned : he was accom- 
panied by Mr. Kicherer, the clergyman of GraafFreynet, who having 
heard that I had letters for him from the missionaries at Klaar- 
water, came for the purpose of inviting me to take up my abode at 
his house during my stay. As soon as I was dressed, I left the 
miserable, but most serviceable, hut ; and was persuaded in a very 
friendly manner, to accept his invitation. 
After leaving directions with my people to follow in the after- 
noon, I entered the carriage and we drove from a spot which, for 
some moments during my illness, I thought it possible I might never 
quit again. 
VOL. II. T 
