133 EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF A
leagues from us some smoke was seen to rise at different points of the main land. The country has the appearance of being higher than it really is. The coast is like that of Holland.
On the 1st of January, 1697, the crew went to seek for fuel, and again saw smoke rising at different points on the mainland. They observed also the flow and ebb ; and our sail-master found on the shore a piece of planed wood about three feet long and a span broad.
On the 2nd I again went on shore, with our skipper, to examine the island on the west side, which we found similar to the last. It is to be avoided for about a league, on account of the great numbers of rocks along the coast ; otherwise it is easily approachable, as from six to seven leagues from the shore there are soundings at a hundred fathoms. On the mainland we again saw smoke arising.
On the 3rd, after sunset, we saw a great number of fires burning, the whole length of the coast of the mainland.
On the 4th, De Vlaming's boat made sail for the mainland. On its return a council was held with the view of making an expedition on shore on the morrow. JV.B. — Here we have the headlands inaccurately indicated.
At sunrise on the morning of the 5th, the resolution which had been taken was put into execution ; and I, in company with the skipper, pushed off to the mainland with the boats of the three South Land navigators. We mustered, what with soldiers and sailors, and two of the blacks that we had taken with us at the Cape, eighty-six strong, well armed and equipped. We proceeded eastwards ; and, after an hour's march, we came to a hut of a worse description than those of the Hottentots. Further on was a large basin of brackish water, which we afterwards found was a river ; on the bank of which were several footsteps of men, and several small pools, in which was fresh water, or but slightly brackish. In spite of our repeated searches, however, we found no men.
