/ 
A F R I C A. 4&j 
his fituation would make upon me at fii ft fight 
fo ftrong an impreffion that I fliould be unable 
to conceal my feelings, they bcfought me to 
reftrain my furpriib, and not alarm him to no 
purpofe* 
I entered his chamber, afFcdlng a degree of 
joy which was certainly far from my heart. I 
even profefled to confider his difeafe as a flight 
malady ; and, after juft mentioning the fubje£t 
without waiting for his reply, I turned the 
converfation to the fine bull 1 had procured 
for him on my journey, and which my people 
liad no doubt already prefented to him. 
His fuffefings, however, had fo much weaned 
him from earth and all its concerns^ that he 
appeared to pay little attention to my prefent, 
and fpoke only of his approaching difTolution. 
At the Cape the dyfentery is to people of all 
ages and conftitutions a dangerous difeafe ; but 
to thofe advanced in life it is always fatal; and 
I perceived too clearly that my beft friend was 
dying. 
Swanepoel, on his return frdm the Cape, 
brought me news of my friends, and letters 
from Europe. Among others was one from 
tny refpected friend Boers, which informed me 
Vol. III. Hh of 
