AFRICA. 69 
and I muft return thanks alfo to Mr. Gordon, 
the commander of the troops, for the fervices 
he had in his power to render me, and of 
which he was not fparing. His curious ob- 
fervations, publifhed in Holland by AUaman, 
are efteemed ; and I confefs that I am parti- 
cularly indebted to him for a number of va- 
luable details, which would have perhaps ef- 
caped me, had it not been for the inflrudtions 
and advice I received from him before my de?- 
parture for the interior parts of the country, 
into which he himfelf had made feme jour- 
neys. 
I requefted permiffion to pafs two or three 
weeks more at Saldanha, in order that I might 
repair, if poffible, a part of that lofs which 
had been occafioned to me by the Engliih. As 
I knew not whether I fhould afterv/ards have 
an opportunity of revifiting that fatal fpot, 
I wiflied at leaft to procure fuch objeds as 
I was well affured I could not find any where 
elfe. I knew the ground fo well, and I had 
crolTed it in fo many diredions, that, I may 
almoft fay, I had nothing to do but to lay my 
hand upon them ; for, before the tragical ac- 
^ cident which befel our veffels, I purchafed a 
F 3 ■ {lorfe^ 
