AFRICA. 3(31 
chofe out, upon one of the windings made by 
the river, among the mimofas, a commodious 
lawn, where I eftabhfhed my camp, with an 
intention of remaining there fome days. I 
had however no need to bid my people be 
upon their guard, for they were too much 
afraid of the Bofhmen to fail in their duty, 
or to relax in their precaution. We were 
now precifely in that canton, in which thefe 
plunderers, as we had been told, were fpread- 
ing terror and confternation. Our provifions 
beginning to grow fhort, and as we no longer 
found large game, I refolved to procure fome, 
if poffible, in order that I might fait it ; and 
on this account I undertook a few hunting 
excurfions, which carried me to a greater or 
lefs diftance from my camp. One day, having 
purfued very clofely an antelope-elk, I wan- 
dered to a confiderable diftance with one of my 
beft fhooters, who followed me ; and at the 
corner of a thick grove of mimofas we fud- 
denly efpied a Hottentot, who was fearching 
for the nymphae of ants, w^hich is a favourite 
food among thefe favages. No fooner had he 
feen us, than, fnatching up his bow and quiver 
with great precipitation, he betook himfelf to 
flight ; but giving full fcope to my horfe, I 
fooa 
