"حياة ومراسلات اللواء السير جون مالكوم، قائد فرسان وسام الطُهر، المبعوث السابق إلى بلاد فارس وحاكم بومباي؛ من رسائل ومذكرات غير منشورة. في مجلّدين. المجلد II." [‎١‎٤‎٧] (٦٥٤/١٦٤)

departure prom the cape.
147
feasted by every one, and all declare that they will take
most special care of you if you ever visit this colony;
and I am quite satisfied they will." He was naturally
very anxious, whilst at the Cape, to learn what was the
state of India, for his future prospects and arrangements
depended much upon the events which were developing
themselves in that country. "There is little news from
India," he wrote; "allis apparently quiet; but I do not
think it will long remain so." And again, in an
other letter: " I do not know what to make of the Indian
news; but I think it probable that I shall be soon home
again. I shall not remain unless there is active service,
or I have a good situation, or Sir Evan Napean leaves
Bombay. In the latter case I will take my chance of the
succession. I discover that nothing but the completest
occupation in the field, or at all events in a way that
promised reputation to myself and benefit to my family,
could reconcile me to live without you."
Pleasantly as Malcolm was situated at the Cape, and
abundant as were the sources of recreation and amuse
ment, his detention there was extremely irksome to him.
Horse-dealing was then much the fashion in the colony,
and the captain of the Charles Mills having some busi
ness of that description to transact, was not prepared to
sail out of Table Bay as expeditiously as Malcolm de
sired. The truth is, that Sir John was in a fair way to
overstay his leave. The early part of January was
slipping away, and it was necessary that he should touch
Indian ground by the 1st of March, for on that day five
years would have elapsed since his departure from
Bombay, and that was the full period allowed by act ot
Parliament for the absence of officers from the Com
pany's dominions. Eegarding, therefore, the delay with
much anxiety, he determined upon taking a passage in
another ship to India—the Minden, which was to sail a
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