The wind continued fair, and the vessel rapidly approached the Cape.
Alexander, who had contracted a great friendship for Mr Swinton, had
made known to him the cause of his intended journey into the interior,
and the latter volunteered, if his company would not be displeasing, to
accompany Alexander on his tedious and somewhat perilous expedition.
Alexander gladly accepted the offer, and requested Mr Swinton would put
himself to no expense, as he had unlimited command of money from his
grand-uncle, and Mr Swinton's joining the caravan would make no
difference in his arrangements.
After it had been agreed that they should travel together, the continued
subject of discourse and discussion was the nature of the outfit, the
number of waggons, their equipment, the stores, the number of horses and
oxen which should be provided; and they were busy every day adding to
their memoranda as to what it would be advisable to procure for their
journey.
Mr Fairburn often joined in the discussion, and gave his advice, but
told them that, when they arrived at Cape Town, he might be more useful
to them. Alexander, who, as we have before observed, was a keen hunter,
and very partial to horses and dogs, promised himself much pleasure in
the chase of the wild animals on their journey, and congratulated
himself upon being so well provided with guns and rifles, which he had
brought with him, more with the idea that they might be required for
self-defence than for sport.
At last, "Land, ho!" was cried out by the man who was at the mast-head
in the morning watch, and soon afterwards the flat top of Table Mountain
was distinctly visible from the deck. The _Surprise_, running before a
fresh breeze, soon neared the land, so that the objects on it might be
perceived with a glass. At noon they were well in for the bay, and
before three o'clock the _Surprise_ was brought to an anchor between two
other merchant vessels, which were filling up their home cargoes.
After a three months' voyage, passengers are rather anxious to get on
shore; and therefore before night all were landed, and Alexander found
himself comfortably domiciled in one of the best houses in Cape Town;
for Mr Fairburn had, during the passage, requested Alexander to take up
his abode with him.
Tired with the excitement of the day, he was not sorry to go to bed
early, and he did not forget to return his thanks to Him who had
preserved him through the perils of the voyage.