172 TRAVELS IN 
degrss that I could fcarcely contain it. On 
the other hand, being more open and lively 
than the Hottentots, and having in their cha- 
rafter nothing approaching to their taciturnity, 
thefe people gained upon me in volubility ; 
and from the time of their arrival I had done 
nothing but return anfwers to thofe queftions 
with which their curiofity continually teazed 
me. As I willied rather to be informed than 
to inform, I flattered myfelf with the hopes 
of feeing their volubility of words and con- 
fufed geftures foon at an end ; and that at 
length I alfo fliould have my turn, wheii 
their firft eftervefccnce had fubfided. 
More provident than the Hottentots, and 
t r u ft i n g 1 e f s t o c h a n c e f o r t h e 1 r f u b ii ft e n c e , t h e y 
had not fet out, as we commonly fay, with- 
out full pockets. They had brought along 
with them feveral oxen intended for provi- 
fion, and four more to carry their baggage. 
Nor had they forgot thofe beautiful balkets 
which I had admired fo much among the 
Gonaquas ; and which they propofed to ex- 
change by the way, or with us, on very ad- 
vantageous terms. They had alfo fome 
cows with their calves ; fo that this caravan 
had 
