Page 542
An.1691
They refresh themselves at the Cape.
ftimes, and use them oftener; as do many people also in the East and West Indies: Yet there is a dif- ference between colder and warmer Countries as to their Divertisements. The warmer Climates being generally very preductive of delicate Fruits, &c. and these uncivilized people caring for little else than what is barely necessary, they spend the greatest part of their time in diverting themselves, after their several fashions; but the Indians of colder Climates are not so much at leisure, the Fruits of the Earth being scarce with them, and they necessitated to be continually Fishing, Hunt- ing, or Fowling for their subsistence; not as with us for Recreation.
As for these Hottantots, they are a very lazy sort of people, and tho they live in a delicate Country, very fit to be manured, and where there is Land enough for them, yet they choose rather to live as their Fore-fathers, poor and miserable, than be at pains for plenty. And so much for the Hottantots : I shall now return to our own affairs.
Upon our arrival at the Cape, Captain Heath took an House to live in, in order to recover his health. Such of his Men as were able did so too, for the rest he provided Lodgings and paid their expences. Three or four of our men, who came ashore very sick, died, but the rest, by the assist- ance of the Doctors of the Fort, a fine Air, and good Kitchin and Cellar Physick, soon recovered their healths. Those that subscribed to be at all calls, and assisted to bring in the Ship, received Cap- tain Heath's Bounty, by which they furnished themselves with Liquor for their homeward Voyage. But we were now so few, that we could not sail the Ship; therefore Captain Heath desired the Governour to spare him some men ; and as I was informed , had a promise to be supplied