^4 TRAVELS IN 
felves to the crew; but, like thofe tempeft^ 
which are always preceded by fatal omens, 
we found it that day not only impoffible to ar- 
rive at Saldanha, but we had to lament by the 
way the unhappy fate of more than one of our 
attendants. 
The Sout-Rivler (fait river which it was 
neceffary to crofs at a diflance from the town, 
had its banks almoft covered with cormorants. 
We were defirous of killing fome of them, and 
we alighted for the purpofe. Upon fetting off 
again, a negro who was behind the carriage, 
taken at unawares, was thrown to the ground 
by the fuddennefs of the motion, and fell with 
fuch violence as to break his leg. He was an 
excellent fervant of Boers and very much be* 
loved by his mailer. We were obliged, there- 
fore, to quit the road, and repair to the neareft 
habitation, to take the proper care of our un- 
fortunate patient. A litter was conflrudted, 
and we had him conveyed to the town. This 
accident having delayed us feveral hours, and 
Boers wifhing to regain the time that had been 
. loft, the coachman put his horfes upon the ga!- 
|op, and drove us like the wind. 
\Ve ha4 fome dogs with us. One of them^ 
very 
