Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa since September 1795, Volume 1 (1908).pdf/37

1796] his trying to capture them. At this place disturbances occurred on board the Dordrecht, Revolutie, and Castor. The cry Oranje boven, weg met de patriotten! was raised, and echoed through these ships, but the disaffected party was appeased, and on the 17th of May the fleet again set sail.

At Porto Praya, the next place of call, the admiral learned that the Sceptre and Crescent with a reinforcement of troops for the Cape garrison had been there six weeks before, still, without taking in sufficient water to last to Mauritius, he continued his voyage.

On the 6th of August he anchored in Saldanha Bay, in the belief that the colonists would at once rise and assist him. The lieutenants De Cerf, Zoetemans, and Valkenburg landed without delay to procure information and give notice of his arrival, and during their absence the sick were landed on Schapen Island, where tents were pitched for their accommodation. Many of the sails also were unbent to be repaired, and it was with difficulty that Captain Melvill, of the flag ship, induced the admiral to order others to be substituted. The Havik was stationed at Hoetjes Bay to protect the landing place, where water was being taken in, and the Bellona was moored off Langbaan on the eastern shore for the same purpose.

Lieutenant Valkenburg was married to the daughter of a Cape farmer. He made his way to his father-in-law's house some fifteen or sixteen miles from Saldanha Bay, where he learned particulars of the British forces, and that under the circumstances no assistance could possibly be given by the colonists. From another source the same information was obtained, coupled with strong advice to leave the bay as soon as possible. The men were deserting at every opportunity. In one night no fewer than thirty got away, and on this account it was not safe to send parties ashore. The admiral therefore decided to set sail for Mauritius on the 16th, but it was then too late.

During the night of the 3rd an express arrived at Capetown from Saldanha Bay, with information that the Dutch fleet so