MEMOIR OF LE VAILLANT. 
19 
of his effects and travelling materials was blown 
into the air ; leaving him entirely destitute in that 
distant country, beset with native savages on the 
one hand, and a hostile armament on the other. 
“ My only resource (says he) was in my fowling- 
piece, with only ten ducats in my purse, and the 
light dress which I wore.” 
In this perplexing dilemma, without knowing 
whither to betake himself, or what steps to adopt, 
he had the good luck to meet with an unexpected 
friend in Colonel Slaher, who received him as his 
guest, and treated him with the kindliest hospitality. 
M. Yon Boers, secretary for the colony, likewise 
took a warm interest in his fate, and became a 
valuable benefactor. 
After having spent nearly three months at the 
Cape, or in the neighbouring districts, adding occa- 
sional specimens to his ornithological stock, M. Le 
Vaillant determined to prosecute his journey farther 
to the eastward. In general he did not penetrate far 
into the interior, but kept along the coast ; he made 
an excursion, however, into Caflraria as far as the 
30th degree of longitude, and almost the 29th of 
latitude. His reception by the native tribes ivas 
friendly ; but as hostilities were then declared be- 
tween them and the colonists, his progress was 
interrupted, and he was obliged to return by a more 
northern route across the mountainous regions of 
Sneeuwe and Cambedon to the Cape, which he 
reached in safety after an absence of about sixteen 
months. 
