28 TRAVELS IN 
eafe. I ordered alfo feveral mats to be given 
him, begging him to endeavour to draw 
them under him ; and, we i-^c as he was, he 
fucceeded according to my wifli. I next pro- 
pofed that a new hut fliould be ereded for 
him, and that he fhould be tranfported thi- 
ther. This advice was received with accla* 
mations by all prelent ; and, tiiat their bene- 
volent ardour might not have time to cool, 
both I . and my people put our hands to the 
labour: and the hut was foon finiHied, and 
in a condition to receive the fick man. 
I always Imagined that this man had been 
attacked by that deftrudive fcourge which 
poifons the fources of life, and deftroys plea- 
fure by pleafure itfelf. Though ftrangers to 
this fcourge, as well as to the Hottentots of 
the Cape, who know it well, I thought it 
might have been gradually conveyed to the 
Gonaquas, by paffing from one to another, 
A journey, or feme fatal connexion, had un- 
doubtedly caufed the misfortune of this poor 
wretch. 
When the hut was ready, he was carried 
cut, extended upon mats. He was then con- 
veyed to a place near his new habitation, and 
the old one was demolifhed ; whilft I was 
confidered 
