124 
themselves as they went on, regardless of 
the past, and but little attentive to the 
future. 
On or about the fourteenth, we reached 
the settlement of an old and blind man. He 
had a large family, and appeared to possess 
a comfortable independence. When he 
heard our story, the good farmer burst 
into tears, and ordered a glass of brandy 
to be given to each of the crew. After 
this unusual and cheering repast, he di- 
rected some mutton to be delivered to my 
people, and gave them a pot to dress it 
in. He then requested I would mess with 
the family, which I did ; and when supper 
was ended, this worthy creature informed 
me he was so pleased with our escaping 
the dangers of the sea and the CafFrees, 
that he would celebrate our meeting with 
a song. He immediately began, and sung 
with the voice of a Stentor. A general 
plaudit succeeded; and then our honest 
benefactor, addressing himself to me, said, 
" Now, captain, I have a favour to ask of 
*^ you. Pray desire all your people to sing." 
It was impossible to avoid laughing at this 
