On the 12th we proceeded on our way, intending to arrive towards evening at Franſche Hoek.
This place, which, as is implied by its name, is partly inhabited by French, ſerved as an aſylum for the proteſtant families, which in conſequence of the perſecutions they ſuffered on account of their religious opinions, croſſed the ocean, in the year 1675, with a view of eſtabliſhing themſelves in this part of Africa, where they were well received by the Governor, Simon Vander Stel, and provided with every requiſite for following the employments of huſbandry.
The wind from the ſouth-eaſt blew with force ſufficient to incommode us on our march. It was, however, by no means ſo violent here, as we learnt upon our arrival that it had been at the Cape. The great difference in the force of theſe gales depends, undoubtedly, upon local cauſes, as I have endeavoured to ſhew upon a former occaſion.
It was on this day that the pinnace of the Eſperance, commanded by Citizen le Grand, not being able to reach the ſhip, was obliged to run for ſhelter off the iſland of Robben.
We had to walk two hours after it was dark, before we arrived at Franſche Hoek, where we preſented ourſelves at the houſe of Gabriel Deprat, to whom I had a letter of recommendation.
