1811. 
FINAL DEPARTURE FROM CAPE TOWN. 
171 
prolonging a last conversation, and by a reluctance to bid an adieu, 
that was to be succeeded by an absence of which neither could 
foresee the duration. 
At last, we bade farewell : they turned their horses towards Cape 
Town, while I mounted my waggon, and threw myself on the 
mattress, to repose a while, and recover from the bodily fatigue and 
the exhaustion of spirits, which the exertions of the last two days had 
occasioned ; as well as to relieve some perturbation of mind, arising 
from the thoughts of having now taken leave of my family, and all 
my friends, perhaps for ever. 
