338 JOURNAL OF A 
rough weather, the BrilHant had not been able to take all her cargo 
on board, and would not sail as soon as first intended. All our 
baggage was yet on shore, which afterwards proved of advantage 
to me. 
I was engaged all day in visiting my friends. At the Colo- 
nial Office I called upon Colonel Bird to thank him for the many 
civilities experienced from him during my stay in the colony. The 
Governor was not at home, but in the evening, wrote a note to 
inquire, whether I would return to England in the Zebra sloop of 
war. In answer, I informed his Excellency, that I had taken my 
passage on board the Brilliant brig, Captain Young. 
We spent a very pleasant evening with the Rev. Mr. Hesse, 
where we met the Rev. Mr. Thom, who declared his intention of 
making a journey into the interior, to visit Kango cave, and en- 
deavour to ascertain the geographical position of sundry places. 
His object also was to preach to the Hottentots and slaves, wherever 
he might find an opportunity. 
6th. After breakfast, having received a note from his Excellency, 
1 waited upon him at the Government-house. He observed, that 
he deserved no thanks for offering me a passage on board the Ze- 
bra, as he was seeking his own profit by it, wishing me to accom- 
pany his son Plantagenet, who was going to England in that 
vessel. I felt greatly distressed not to be able immediately to 
compl}^ with his wish, the more so, as it was my duty, to show, by 
every means consistent with prior obligations, my gratitude to him 
for the great kindness he had shown me, during my stay in the 
colony. The engagement I had made with Captain Young was 
easily dissolved, but my promise to take home the son of my friend 
Bonatz seemed an insurmountable obstacle. It is needless here 
to enter into a detail of the conversations and negotiations that 
passed on this subject, suffice it to say, that though the father's dis- 
appointment and uneasiness were great, on first mentioning to him 
his Excellency's proposals, yet as both he, and the rest of my com- 
panions, ^^ere desirous, that 1 might yield to the Governor's Avishes, 
