1812. 
MODE OF GAINING TIME FOR WRITING. 
401 
was now but a single team left for each, and this number was still 
further reduced bv the loss of two oxen supposed to have been 
destroyed by the lions : so that we were obliged to put the same 
cattle into the yoke every day ; and, should the country prove moun- 
tainous or very sandy, we should be reduced, by want of strength, to 
the alternative of proceeding at so slow a rate of travelling, that, in 
a region deficient in springs or rivers, we might perish before we could 
reach water : and, in addition to these unfavorable chances, we might 
occasionally lose an ox by accident or sickness. Another point was 
not to be overlooked in calculating the probability of events ; — after 
the sheep, of which there were only three remaining, should be con- 
sumed, it might happen that we met with no game, or that our 
huntings were unsuccessful ; in which case we should be driven to 
the necessity of occasionally killing one of our draught-oxen. In 
this view of our circumstances, I saw that prudence called upon me 
to provide against these chances and to secure the means of prosecut- 
ing the long and unknown journey before us. 
Under these considerations I saw no objection to bartering away 
as much of my stock of beads, as would procure the number of 
oxen thus required ; and I sat up till a late hour of the night, taking 
advantage of the time when all the natives were asleep, to arrange 
my beads and merchandise ready for commencing trade, after having 
first submitted them to the inspection of the Chief and his family. 
IStJi. It was only by a stratagem that time could be found for 
writing my journal ; — I ordered my people to keep all strangers 
away from my waggon, by telling them that I had been much 
fatigued, and that, until I made my appearance in public and the 
waggon was thrown open, they were always to suppose that I was 
then asleep and must not be disturbed. In the mean time, I was 
busily employed in writing in my sleeping-place, the only part where 
I could keep myself undiscovered. For, as I remained thus occupied 
till noon, Mattivi and several of the chieftains were cunnino- enough 
to suspect that it might be only a trick to keep myself alone j and 
they therefore, as they walked by the end of the waggon, peeped in 
to ascertain the truth : but when they saw that I was not in my 
VOL. II. 3 F 
