iS6 TRAVELS IN 
felf with patience, and to wait a more favour- 
able opportunity. 
On the 1 8th of April I received an exprefs 
from Mr. Mulder, who, having returned from 
the Cape, conveyed to me fome letters which 
he had brought along with him, and which 
vv^ere in anfwer to thofe I had entrufted to his 
care in the beginning of February. I found 
that my friends were very uneafy for my fate, 
and wifhed me to return. Others exhorted me 
to perfevere ; and, fitting at eafe by their fire 
fides, gave themfelves little trouble concerning 
obftacles, provided my journey could prove of 
utility to fcience ; or, without going fo far, fup- 
ply food for their curiofity, in fables related 
after their manner. I found each of them in- 
terefted according to his particular views : but 
I refolved to follow my original plan. It may 
be eafily imagined how much the bad feafon 
had retarded my progrefs, fmce I had fcarcely 
travelled eight leagues during the time which 
Mr. Mulder employed in his journey to the - 
Cape. In a letter which this gentleman wrote 
to me, he appointed a place of meeting, and 
propofed that we fliould amufe ourfelves a few 
days w th fifhing on the fea fhore, if fuch 
4 
