I 
Chap. XLI. ATTACK BY THE NATIVES. 97 
have sufficed to overthrow this whole troop of 
young unbearded lads, who were snapping their 
firelocks without being in general provided with 
balls. It was very lucky, indeed, that Overweg and I 
with our people kept well together in the foremost 
part of the train, for the natives, rushing suddenly 
out from their hiding-place upon the stragglers, laid 
hold of two camels, with which they immediately 
made good their retreat, their young riders, who a 
moment before had shown such courage, having betimes 
jumped off their animals and run away. Our com- 
panions were now full of gesticulations and warlike 
threats ; but nobody dared to attack the small body 
of men, and dispute with them their booty. We 
soon reached the level on the eastern side of the val- 
ley ; but if we had hesitated before what course to 
pursue, we were now quite puzzled to find the where- 
abouts of the horsemen. Wandering thus up and 
down without any distinct direction, we of course, as 
it was not safe for us to dismount and take a moment's 
rest, suffered great fatigue, after a whole day and 
night's journey. Meanwhile the sun had almost 
reached the zenith, and I felt extremely weak and 
exhausted. 
At length some of the horsemen were seen, at a 
great distance beyond a more shallow dell, driving 
before them a herd of cattle ; and rescued at length 
from the dangerous position in which we had been, de- 
stitute as we were of any sufficient protection, we has- 
tened to cross the valley, and to join our more warlike 
VOL. III. h 
