AFRICA. 141 
Some of my people, however, fell upoa an 
invention ftill more ridiculous. They affixed 
to fome poles the large fkin of a buffalo, and 
carried it above their heads in the form of a 
canopy. 
The women alone fupported with courage 
the extreme fatigue of fo extraordinary a jour- 
ney. Nothing could difcorapofe their good 
humour. Being of a cheerful difpofition, and 
always fportful, they indulged in pleafantry af 
the expence of the men and their ridicnloos 
appearance. For me, I was on foot like the 
women, and braved every fatigue ; both that 
I might fpare my horfes, and not hazard my 
life upon animals which, frequently Humbling 
and falling on their knees, would infallibly 
have broken my neck. Under the prefent cir- 
cumftances, the indefatigable courage of the 
women was an invaluable advantage. By 
exciting their fliame, they aded as a fpur 
on the indolence and backwardnefs of the men^ 
who, ignorant of the particular motives of my 
journey, confidered it only as the effects of ex- 
travagant temerity. 
In the courfe of the day we experienced, 
totwithftanding our precautions and our um- 
7 brdlas. 
