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AFRICA. 187 
an excurfion would not derange me : he pro- 
mifed to bring with him nets, and every thing 
neceffary for our fpeuding a week together on 
the coaft ; and he likewife informed me that 
his wife wouid be one of the party. This 
propofal gave me great pleafure ; and, foon? 
after the arrival of the meffenger, Mr. and 
Mrs. Mulder made their appearance, accom- 
panied by an officer next under Mr. Mulder 
in command. One might have compared 
them to fo many patriarchs on a journey. 
The latter on the bow of his faddle, over his 
piftols, carried a young child four months old, 
v/hich was fuckled by his wife. They were 
all four on horfeback. His carriage, with his 
nets and baggage, had gone to wait for us 
on the fea fhore. Having ordered one of 
mine to be got ready alfo, 1 loaded it with 
my tent, one or two empty cafks, and every 
thing that I conceived would be ufeful to us 
for our miraculous fiihing. When we reached 
the fhore, after a few compliments and the 
ufual ceremonies, we caft our nets feveral times 
into the water, but always in vain; we fcarcely 
caught any thing : and this exercife afforded 
amufemeat to nobody. Refolving, therefore, 
to 
V 
