the forms
which they had impressed on the yielding sand; and by the directions of
Philip, they separated in every direction, to look for the means of
quenching their agony of thirst. As they proceeded over sand-hills,
they found growing in the sand a low spongy-leaf sort of shrub,
something like what in our greenhouses is termed the ice-plant; the
thick leaves of which were covered with large drops of dew. They sank
down on their knees, and proceeded from one to the other licking off the
moisture which was abundant, and soon felt a temporary relief. They
continued their search till noon without success, and hunger was now
added to their thirst; they then returned to the beach to ascertain if
their companions had been more successful. They had also quenched their
thirst with the dew of heaven but had found no water or means of
subsistence; but some of them had eaten the leaves of the plant which
had contained the dew in the morning, and had found them, although acid,
full of watery sap and grateful to the palate. The plant in question is
the one provided by bounteous Providence for the support of the camel
and other beasts in the arid desert, only to be found there, and
devoured by all ruminating animals with avidity. By the advice of
Philip they collected a quantity of this plant and put it into the
boats, and then launched.

They were not more than fifty miles from Table Bay; and although they
had no sails, the wind was in their favour. Philip pointed out to them
how useless it was to remain, when before morning they would, in all
probability arrive at where they would obtain all they required. The
advice was approved of and acted upon; the boats were shoved off and the
oars resumed. So tired and exhausted were the men, that their oars
dipped mechanically into the water, for there was no strength left to be
applied; it was not until the next morning at daylight, that they had
arrived opposite False Bay, and they had still many miles to pull. The
wind in their favour had done almost all--the men could do little or
nothing.

Encouraged, however, by the sight of land which they knew, they rallied;
and about noon they pulled, exhausted, to the beach at the bottom of
Table Bay, near to which were the houses, and the fort protecting the
settlers, who had for some few years resided there. They landed close
to where a broad rivulet at that season (but a torrent in the winter)
poured its stream into the bay. At th