S6 TRAVELS IN 
of friendfhip that feemed to announce to mc 
fomc melancholy news. 
My fufpicions were prefently verified, when 
upon entering the hall I faw the daughters of 
Slaber approach me with an air of inquietude 
and dejedion. Alarmed at this reception, 
the caufe of which I conceived related to 
themfelves, I anxioufly demanded what mif- 
fortune, in fo fhort a fpace of time, had be- 
fallen them. The misfortune I have to ac^- 
*^ quaint you with," faid one of them, " is 
perfonal to yourfelf : Boers is returned to 
the Cape, and in a few days you will lofe 
" him. He has received, in your abfcnce, 
" difpatches from Holland, Informing him that 
" his refignation has been accepted ; and, as 
there is a veffel in the bay ready, at this mo^ 
ment, to fail for Europe, in which he is re- 
*■ folved to embark, he inftantly mounted his 
horfe, with Larcher, to make without delay 
** the neceffary preparations. I need not fay 
^* how happy we fliould efleem ourfelves if, 
after this lofs, we could prevail on you and 
" your friend to remain w^ith us awhile : at 
*^ the fame time it is my duty to tell you, that, 
before he left us, Boers forefaw that you 
" WQU14 
