180 JOURNAL OF A 
She even set before us a dish of excellent rehbock-venison. Her 
son, an intelligent young man, with whom I had much conver- 
sation after dinner, gave me an interesting account his father's 
history. The Fereira's are of Portuguese origin. His great grand- 
father (or one above him, I forget which) was the only person 
saved from a Portuguese ship, which foundered at sea, off the 
Cape. He got upon a plank, which supported him for three days, 
and rowing with his hands in a direction, in which he expected to 
find land, by God's mercy, he succeeded, and reached the Cape 
shore, though nearly exhausted, and perishing with hunger. 
Here, by industry, he and his successors raised themselves into 
creditable situations. Of his father, a singular instance of cou- 
rage and good fortune is told. A large tyger, having long in- 
fested his premises and the neighbourhood, and killed many- 
sheep, belonging to him and other boors ; a party assembled to 
endeavour to destroy the monster. His haunt being discovered, 
Mr. Fereira was foremost in the attack, when the tyger instantly 
made a spring at him, as he sat on horseback, the rest of the 
party not having come up, and only one slave being with him. 
The horse taking fright, ran off with his rider, who was but slightly 
Avounded. The tyger was meanwhile attacked by all the dogs, 
and a furious contest ensued. Mr. Fereira, not intimidated, as 
soon as he could again command his horse, returned to the charge, 
and encouraged the dogs by the usual cry of Zaza, Zaza. The 
enraged animal, hearing this cry, quitted the dogs, and flew a se- 
cond time at Mr. Fereira's head, when with one gripe he tore off 
his scalp, and threw him upon the ground, where he was pro- 
ceeding, with teeth and claws, to put an end to his existence. 
The faithful slave, seeing his master in such imminent danger, 
ran to his assistance, and attempted to stab the tyger with a knife. 
The infuriated beast, however, was too quick for him, seized his 
hand with his teeth, and flung him upon his master, doing his best 
to kill them both, which, by his strength and swiftness of motion, 
he probably would have accomplished, had not the other huntsmen, 
