AFRICA. 233 
pvercaft, and we were attacked by a moft 
dreadful ftorm, accompanied with thunder : 
but we ftill continued our journey ; for being 
unwilling to unload the oxen before night, 
and having no Ihelter in the place where 
we dined, we fhould have been equally ex- 
pofed to the rain when at reft as when in 
motion. About five in the evening, how- 
ever, finding ourfelves fo much harafled that 
we could proceed no farther, I ordered my 
tent to be immediately erefted. Large fires 
were kindled ; and when we had dried our- 
felves I retired to reft, whilft my people 
ftretched themfelves out as well as they 
could under their fkins and mats, inclined 
towards the rain in the fame manner as 
fcreens are placed to defend houfes from the 
heat of the fun. The moifture of the earth 
foon penetrated the blanket upon which I 
had thrown myfelf, but in vain, to enjoy re- 
pofe; and the rain, which poured down in- 
ceffantly, penetrated through the canvafs of 
my tent on all fides, fo that I was as com- 
pletely drenched as my people. 
Having prepared to depart at break of day, 
Hans informed me that we couM ^ot be far 
diftant from that kraal of the Caftres which 
had 
