Several ſpecies of the geranium, polygala, lobelia, &c. grew upon the ſandy plain through which we travelled.
Having arrived at ſome ſandy grounds, we ſaw ſeveral gazelles, but they kept at ſo great a diſtance from us that we were not able to ſhoot any of them.
Two hours after dark, we arrived at the houſe of M. Boſman, at Bottelary. The letter of recommendation, which Mr. Gordon had given us, procured us a very friendly reception from this worthy planter, whom we found ſitting at ſupper in the midſt of his numerous family. He immediately invited us to ſit down with him, and ſet before us ſome very agreeable ſtrong-bodied wine, made from the grapes that grow about Bottelary. Some merchants of the town ſell this wine at a very high price, as Conſtantia wine, to which however it is inferior in quality; and M. Boſman told us that it may be bought twelve times cheaper than the other.
M. Boſman, in his inſulated ſituation upon a ſmall ſpot of fertile ground, ſurrounded by a large deſart of ſand, was, of courſe, very deſirous of hearing our news; but we found it very difficult to communicate any to him, as our negro interpreter appeared now much leſs fit for his office, than we had before conceived him to be. After
having
