8 Johan Nieuhof
(See also items 2, 6, 25, 29.) According to his account he sailed in Aernhem from Vlie on October 22, 1650, with Paerl, flutes* Princes Roijael, Loenen, Hector; but by Hague codex 4389 folio 49 Cortenhof and Zuylen were also in this fleet, but not Hector, which sailed on December 6 from Goes.
On the 16th of March [dr] we came safely to the Cape of Good Hope and anchored in the bay. The Perel with the three yachts* anchored in the same bay on the 22nd [dr differs in names and dates]. We went ashore, and made arrangements for our sick: thus far we had twelve dead, but otherwise the crew was fit for the most part [sic: see dr]. We brought aboard daily fresh water, firewood, and such refreshing as was to be had there, and meanwhile caught much fish. I went ashore with some of my comrades, taking a musket* [snaphaen] to shoot some game on the Table Mountain; but high up on the hill we came unexpectedly on a large lion lying asleep, and might easily have walked onto his body. I trod sweetly and softly backwards, saying to my companions ‘Let sleeping dogs lie’: so we went from there and let the lion sleep. After we had been at the Cape for fourteen days, and were provided with water, firewood and refreshing, we set sail again [dr 31/3].... [Java, Formosa, Malacca, India, Persia.]
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