74 LOSS OF THE HERCULES. 
pie proceeded with redoubled energy ; the salvation of their 
companions was the incentive, and that consideration banished 
every idea of danger or fatigue. 
They traveled without a single halt for about three hours, 
when one of the guides, who was advanced, roared out in a 
transport of joy, " I see a Hottentot attending a flock of sheep/' 
It was the voice of a seraph proceeding from a Caflfre. They 
all ran to the place where he stood, and at a considerable dis- 
tance observed a man attending a flock of at least four thou- 
sand. They moved in a body toward the shepherd, who 
seemed at first to be alarmed; but perceiving they were most 
whites, and unarmed, he stopt until they came up. The cap- 
tain requested of him to direct them the nearest way to the 
first settlement, which he did, and at the same time informed 
us the proprietor was a good man ; the distance, he said, was 
about three miles. The pleasure diffused throughout the par- 
ty, on receiving this information, it is impossible to describe. 
The captain embraced this opportunity and went on ; a gene- 
ral joy succeeded, and who should be foremost, the principal 
consideration. 
At length — ecstatic reflection! — they came within sight of a 
Christian farm. " Come on, my lads," said the captain, " we 
are safely moor'd at last; and our people in the deserts will 
be soon relieved." Some tottered as they stood, overcome by 
joy, and could not move ; others appeared as in a trance, until 
at length about ten followed him, and they entered the house 
of Jan Dupliesies. 
Fortunately this was a settler of the best order, about sixty 
years old, born in Holland, but had resided in Africa for 
many years ; humane, generous, and possessing a heart that 
appeared to be the constant mansion of a virtuous sympathy. 
His cottage was formed of clay, thatched with a kind of reed, 
and furnished with a few stools, a table, and some kitchen 
utensils. His family consisted of five or six sons, their wives 
and children, together with a daughter, making together about 
twenty people. His stock, however, was considerable, not less 
than twelve thousand sheep, and one thousand oxen. 
After the alarm which their first appearance occasioned 
had subsided, the captain told the story of their melancholy 
disaster, and implored his assistance for the relief of the un- 
fortunate people who were left behind. This good man could 
not listen to the relation without discovering by his counte- 
nance the tenderness of his nature. His face, which was 
naturally pallid, became, at certain intervals, of a crimson 
