AFRICA. £23 
them. Too many motives pleaded for them 
in my heart ; and I was fenfible that my at- 
tachment to them was flill too flrong, being 
convinced that nothing elfe but fear had fe- 
duced them, and that this alone had deranged 
their heads, efpeclally as they told me that 
they were unwilling to enter a country from 
which they never faw either white men or 
Hottentots return. I exhorted them at leaft 
to continue faithful to me, and not to forget 
my kindnefs v/hilft I was abfent^ and how 
much they were indebted to their mafler. 
By their geflures and looks I could eafily fee 
what impreffion thefe laft words made upon 
them, and how far I might have depended 
on their afFedion had I not attempted to 
force them to undertake this fatal journey. 
I promifed to fhew them the fame attention 
in future, and I fhut myfelf up in my tent. 
During part of the night I employed myfelf 
in forming my plan, and devifing means for 
executing it with as much caution and ex- 
pedition as I poffibly could. Next morning, 
veiy early, I called thofe Hottentots upon 
whom I could depend, and I again told them 
that I was ready to depart with them, if they 
were ftill refolved to accompany me; and, to 
difpei 
