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Fewer vessels frequented the Bay now and as things were not very satisfactory at St. Helena, Mr. Lawton insisted on father going over to see about matters, and a day before he was to leave, he and Mr. Tindall came from the Swacop where the cattle post was, and rode all night along the beach from there in the damp and fog. He took a severe cold, which ultimately ended in Asthma. The next day he went on board. I accompanied father to St. Helena, and Mr. and Mrs. Tindall and son with Mr. Lawton, came with us as far as Pelican Point. We pulling back halfway in to the Bay and they got into the boats and we proceeded on our voyage. They had a very narrow escape from being blown down to the mussel-beds. At last in despair they left the big boat there and got into the dingy and as the wind was strong the men walked on shore, and with a rope pulled the boat along. It was near midnight when they reached the place where the cart was waiting for them to take them up to the house. The next morning the men were sent for the big boat, but it was smashed to pieces by the surf. Another time Bassingthwaighte and another man went to spend the evening on board the vessel, and left about midnight to return home, but they lost their way in the dark. B. found his way home before day, but the other man (I forget his name) not making his appearance, his spoor was taken and he was traced back to the beach, and the people on board said, the watch on deck before day had heard a man shouting from the shore, then the voice seemed nearer and before they could look what it meant, they heard a groan close to the ship and all was silent. It is supposed the man had tried to swim to the ship and a shark must have caught him. Father had the beach searched but they only got a piece of his waistcoat. He had a wife and children in England.

We stayed three days in St. Helena[47] and there we again met Mr. Latham, who had left for England a short time before. He changed his mind and returned with us. We went on to Ascension and stayed there one day. There I met Mrs. Martin, wife of the Sailing Master of the Turtess who was very kind. We stayed so late there that evening that he had to give us his boat and crew to take father and me on board, as all strange boats had to be off the Island at sunset. We left before it was light next morning.

We encountered some rough weather, it was almost a storm, for three days, but reached home at last. Father’s cold became much worse. Indeed from that time his health quite failed and everything seemed to go back. The business was given up at St. Helena[48] - father had decided on that when he was there. Mother took father to the Swakop for change of air and a few days a vessel came into the Bay with a doctor on board. We asked him to go and see father which he kindly consented to do. The horses had gone with them, so there was only an ox for him to ride. He started with a Hottentot for a guide, but when they had gone some distance, the fellow made the doctor understand he would not go any further unless he gave him his coat. After a lot of talk the Dr. seeing the scamp would not go, gave it to him, then he wanted his handkerchief, a little further on he would have his hat, and as the water they had taken with them was all finished and the Dr. very thirsty, he complied with all the demands. Fortunately Hans Larsen[49] and Frank Bassingthwaighte who had gone with father met them just as the poor Dr. was getting quite knocked up – he told them how he was without coat, hat, etc. – they took the Hottentot and gave him a good flogging.

Father’s health not improving and my sister[50] also being sick they both went to Cape Town to get medical attandance, and were away nine months[51]. Mr. Lawton, mother and we children remaining behind.

Mr. Morris took a large troop of cattle overland to Cape Town[52] as there was no market for them here. Latham also went with him as the working establishment had been broken up as well – only a carpenter and another man remaining to finish building the large wooden house. My brother, Jospeh, was born during father’s absence[53].

There was also a store built in the Bay by a Capt. Gragburn,[54] so we had neighbours with whom we were on friendly terms. The German Missionary, Mr. Schipmann[55], had also come to live at Rooibank and a most devoted self denying man he was – a model missionary going amongst those wretched Hottentots as they trekked about and living for days on the narras and learning their language. He might have effected a little good in the end had he lived, but in about two years he died of fever at Rheboth where he had gone to see Mr. Kleinschmidt – his last words were “Peace, perfect Peace”.
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