160 
PHILIP ENGAGED 
8 June, 
nion : they coupled the comet, which had been seen every night since 
the 12th of the foregoing month, and the earthquake together, and 
drew from this two-fold portentous sign, the certain prognostics of 
the annihilation of the Cape. 
This event gave me the first opportunity of knowing, from experi- 
ence, something of the operation and effects of an effort of nature, 
regarded by all as formidable, but which, by the superstitious, is 
viewed as the manifestation of supernatural agency. But its true nature 
becomes, in every succeeding generation, more generally understood 
as tht result of laws established by the Divine Power at the creation. 
The night passed over undisturbed ; and on the following day 
there was no other difference perceptible in the state of the atmo- 
sphere, than that of its being much less loaded with hazy vapor. 
The sun shone bright and pleasant ; the universal fear, by degrees, 
subsided ; each one resumed his usual occupation, and business and 
money-making began, as heretofore, to animate every nerve, and 
to occupy every thought. 
^th. Jan Tamboer still continued in the hospital very ill ; and 
it was the surgeon's opinion, that there was little likelihood of his 
being able to undertake the journey. This was a serious disappoint- 
ment, and not a trifling derangement of my plans ; but it gave 
to the Colonel an opportunity of proving his readiness to oblige : 
for, on learning the circumstance, he directed enquiry to be made in 
the regiment for any other Hottentot who might possess the requi- 
site qualifications ; and, by good fortune, one was found, who not 
only had been used to the management of a waggon and oxen, but 
who had formerly made a journey beyond the Gariep, into the 
country of the Bachapins. 
This man instantly accepted the offered appointment, overjoyed 
at exchanging a military life for one so much more congenial to his 
inclinations. Having neither family nor possessions, nor, indeed, 
any property at all, which he would be under the necessity of leav- 
ing unprotected, he was ready to start at a moment's notice ; and, as 
soon as he had received the trifling arrears of his pay, together with 
a furlough for twelve months, renewable from time to time, he bade 
