A -F R I C A. 2t 
feen how fata! was this procraftination, and to 
•what calamities it expofed both my people and 
me. 
I had refolved to withdraw myfeif from the 
Cape. The circumftance by which I had been 
induced to adjourn my grand expedition, was 
an additional motive v/nh me to undertake an 
excurfion in . the environs of the tov/n. It would 
at leafi: be food to my impatience ; and 1 fhould 
find in this refource, the only one that offered 
itfelf amidft the eternal wearlfomenefs with 
which I was befet, fome compenfation for the 
delay which the feafon had impofed upon 
me. I had learnt, in the fhoct converfation I 
had had with Klaas, that the two Hottentots 
to whom I had committed the care of my oxen, 
find the equipage of my cai'avan, waiting the 
fignal for a fecond. expedition, had conducted 
my cattle to the pafture^.of .Groene-kloof, and 
that my goats^ agreeable to my diredlons, had 
remained in Swart-land, under the eye of my 
friend Slaber, who, uniform in his zeal to ,ferv,e 
me, had taken charge of them. 
What reproaches did I not caft upon myfelf 
for having negleSed, fince my return to the 
Cape, this worthy and refpedable friend ! By 
•what bufinefs, what neceffity, v/hat lav^s of de- 
C 3 corum, 
