488 
CAPE-TOWN. 
[1813. 
On the 24th there was much thunder, lightning, 
and rain the whoie day. About noon the heavens 
were suddenly overcast with such thick, black clouds 
as to render it so dark I could neither read nor write by 
day-light. There were four or live peals of thunder 
so loud as to resemble the explosion of a mine, or the 
blowing up of a ship. The flashes of lightning were 
so vivid and extensive, and followed each other in such 
quick succession, as to remind me of what was common 
on the confines of Caffraria. All tlie slaves in Mr. 
Duncan's house, except one, were sick at this time, 
owing, it was thought, to the state of the air. During 
the whole succeeding night it blew with extreme 
violence from the S.W. 
On the 27th ten of the Hottentots who had accom- 
panied me the whole journey set out on their return to 
Bethelsdorp. They came in a body to bid me farewell. 
I was glad when the parting scene was over, believing 
that I should see them no more. The day was sultry 
— the thermometer in my room, with two large win- 
dows open, was 84. The evening being cool and 
pleasant, most of the inhabitants walked on the terraces 
in front of their houses. 
December 6th. Having been invited by the friends 
of missions at Paarl to pay them a visit, and inform 
them of the circumstances of the journey, Mr. Read 
and I left Cape-town at five in the morning, in Mr. 
Rooss waggon accompanied by Mrs, Smit and Mrs. 
Smulz, botli of whom are warm friends to the heathen, 
