Abdool, who
is getting very infirm, but toddled up and cracked his old fingers
over my head, and invoked the protection of Allah with all form;
besides that Betsy sent me twelve dozen oranges and lemons. Abdool
Rachman is about twenty-six, a Malay of Capetown, speaks Dutch and
English, and is supposed to be studying theology at Cairo. The
letter is written by the prettiest Malay girl in Capetown.
I won't enter upon my longings to be home again, and to see you
all. I must now see to my last commissions and things, and send
this to go by next mail.
God bless you all, and kiss my darlings, all three.
LETTER XVI
Friday, May 16th.
On board the good ship Camperdown, 500 miles North-west of Table-
Bay.
I embarked this day week, and found a good airy cabin, and all very
comfortable. Next day I got the carpenter's services, by being on
board before all the rest, and relashed and cleeted everything,
which the 'Timmerman', of course, had left so as to get adrift the
first breeze. At two o'clock the Attorney-General, Mr. Porter,
came on board, escorted by bands of music and all the volunteers of
Capetown, quorum pars maxima fuit; i.e. Colonel.
