AFRICA. 41 
bitation and refide there for ever. Thehoufes 
are clofer together, and are gradually increaf- 
ing; fo that 1 fhould not wonder if they were 
fliortly to exhibit the fpeftacle of a fecond 
town in the colony, and the valley of the 
Twenty - four - Rivers become at laft the 
richeft and molt populous country in the en- 
virons of the Cape. 
I have faid, that it was my intention to 
return by way of Swart Land to the Cape, and 
fpend a few days with my good friends, or 
rather, as I may call them, my good rela- 
tions, the Slabers. Among the diverfions in 
which we were accuftomed to engage together, 
there was one that, at the time it was propos- 
ed, and even after I had made the experiment, 
fmgularly aftonilhed me, Thev had promifed 
to procure me fome birds, which were not in 
my colledion, and which were unknown to 
me. Whenever a novelty of ihU kind was 
the queftion, I was always prepared the inftant 
it was ftarted. Accordingly I took up my 
fowling piece, and was ready to be gone. 
*' Stop," faid they ; leave if you pleafe 
" your fire-arms, w^hich will only incom- 
" mode us. The chace to which we invite 
" you is of a new kind ; having never feea 
" it, you will make but a forry figure. Follow 
