the substance that I have before often mentioned under the name of sea-sawdust; the water likewise emitted a strong smell like that of sea-weeds rotting on the shore.
12th. In the morning saw Cape Falso,[1] and soon after the Cape of Good Hope, off which we observed a rock not laid down in the charts. The breeze was fresh and fair; it carried us as far as Table Bay, off which we anchored. In coming along shore we saw several smokes upon the next hill before the Lion's rump, and when at anchor fires upon the side and near the top of the Table Mountain. In the bay were several ships, four French, two Danes, one English, viz. the Admiral Pocock, Indiaman, and several Dutch.
13th. Wind so fresh at S.E. that we could not attempt to go ashore; no boat, indeed, in the whole harbour attempted to stir; the Dutch Commodore hauled down his broad pennant, a signal for all boats belonging to him to keep on board. Jno. Thomas died.
14th. The ship was got under way and steered into the harbour to her proper berth. A Dutch boat came on board to know from whence we came, and brought with her a surgeon, who examined our sick, and gave leave for them and us to come ashore, which we accordingly did at dinnertime.
17th. Dr. Solander, who had been on board the Indiaman last night, was taken violently ill with a fever and a pain in his bowels. A country physician was immediately sent for, who declared on hearing his case that it was the common consequence of Batavian fevers, that the Doctor would be much worse, and would for some time suffer very much by his bowel complaint, but upon the whole he declared that there was no danger. I could not, however, help being a good deal alarmed in my own opinion.
31st. Dr. Solander, after having been confined to his bed or chamber ever since the 17th of this month, this day came downstairs for the first time, very much emaciated by his tedious illness.
- ↑ This appears to have been Cape Agulhas.
