1811. 
THE WAGGON DEPARTS. — THIRD EARTHQUAKE. 
169 
appearance improved by a new suit of clothes which I immediately 
gave him, than, without loss of time, he was set to work to assist 
in loading up the waggon. After which, a team of ten oxen having 
been selected from out of the twenty, he set out with the remainder 
to Sah.-river. 
At length, about noon, every thing being ready for starting, 
Philip mounted his seat, and taking in his hand the great whip, 
the emblem of his office, made the street echo with one of his 
loudest claps ; at the same moment, with an animated voice, calling 
out to the oxen, Loop /* The waggon moved steadily away : I 
watched its progress till, passing the castle, it turned out of sight ; 
little supposing at that moment, that it would ever pass that castle 
again ; or that, out of the whole party who were now to accompany 
it, I should be the only person to return with it. 
My waggon at this time, with its contents and the oxen which 
drew it, had already cost me six hundred pounds sterling. 
In order to be satisfied of its safe arrival at the first staoe, 
I followed on horseback to Salt-river ; and after seeing it properly 
secured for the night, and leaving farther instructions with the men, I 
returned to town to take my farewell dinner at the Governor's table. 
I had now the honor of taking leave of His Excellency, who, 
apparently with much sincerity, expressed his wishes for my safety and 
success ; nor ought 1 here to omit my acknowledgments for the many 
attentions which I received from His Lordship during my stay in 
Cape Town. 
\9th. This morning an event took place, which excited uni- 
versal alarm, and for a short time interrupted every occupation. 
At about ten o'clock all the inhabitants were again thrown into terror 
and consternation, by the shock of an earthquake. The circumstances 
of this earthquake, differed in several respects, from that which 
happened on the seventh. No explosion took place, but a tremu- 
lous hollow sound, somewhat resemblino; a smothered howlinn- 
' C5 O' 
• Signifying, Go ! It is the usual exclamation of the Cape waggoners, when they 
wish to put their oxen in motion. 
Z 
