ge of Table Mountain meets with the prevalent cold south-east
wind, which immediately condenses it into a cloud. Then it hangs
suspended above the mountain, and is then called the table-cloth.
Sometimes it is precipitated on the ridge in the shape of dew or rain,
and thus form a stream of cool water for the inhabitants of Cape Town."

The table-cloth growing thicker and thicker, Mr Henley gave the
necessary orders to prepare for the coming gale. Everything was made
snug on board the _Orion_; the topmasts were struck, and fresh cables
were laid out.

The people on board several vessels did not take the precautions we did
in time, and were consequently exposed to great risk of driving from
their anchors. Had they done so they would not only have been lost
themselves, but would have damaged, if not destroyed, any other craft
against which they might have run. The boatmen in Table Bay have,
however, fine boats, and are gallant fellows, and in spite of the heavy
sea which came rolling in, brought out additional cables and anchors to
the assistance of those who required them. I will not describe the gale
further than to say that it blew terrifically, and that I was very
thankful that our cables held; for had they parted, I felt sure the
stout ship would immediately have been dashed to pieces on the rocks,
and not one of us would have escaped.

As soon as the gale was over the captain came on board. He appeared
quite a different man to what he had been during the voyage. He was
quiet, and kind, and gentlemanly in his manner. Several merchants
accompanied him from the shore, and he seemed to be on excellent terms
with them.

I told Mr Henley that I hoped things would improve on board.

He shook his head. "All is not gold that glitters. He was much the
same when he first took command. Wait till we are out of sight of land
before we begin to congratulate ourselves."

Mr Henley had doubted whether, should Mr Grimes return, he would
remain in the ship. The first mate had pretended to be ill as soon as
we arrived, and had gone into hospital. However, directly after Captain
Gunnell appeared so did he. He too seemed changed, and was very polite
to all the officers, and quite mild in his manner. Though the second
mate had little confidence in him, he still made up his mind, greatly to
my satisfaction, to remain in the ship. His prognostications proved too
true. By the time we had been three days at sea, the capta