About two months after leaving New York, Table Rock was sighted and the
same day anchor was let go off Cape Town. During this long voyage Paul
improved the opportunity in studying and getting more practical ideas of
navigation. By the time they cast anchor at Cape Town the captain
assured him that he was as competent as himself and begged him to keep
on with him to China as the man holding the position of first mate was
very unskillful and he wished to get rid of him. Paul, however, had the
diamond fever and no amount of persuasion could change his mind. He
landed and secured quarters in Cape Town. With his usual happy-go-lucky
disposition he had never inquired before leaving New York in regard to
the location of the diamond fields, and he presumed that they were
situated thirty or forty miles from the Cape. In Cape Town he
became acquainted with an officer of the steamer Cambrian, named John
Lord, who also had the diamond fever and intended going to the fields.
Their pursuits being similar they naturally drifted into
acquaintanceship. After a little conversation, Paul asked him how he was
going up.
"Well," responded Lord, "I would go upon the regular wagon but my
finances will not permit me. It costs twelve pounds and one is only
allowed twenty pounds baggage.
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