AFRICA. 149 
fpeedy return, and thus to dlfcliarge the pro- 
mife made them by Klaas. I declared then 
that, after having vhlted the Houzouanas and 
traverfed their mountains, I would proceed 
back by the fouth>weft, which I pointed oat 
to them, either to the fea or the mouth of 
Fifh-RIver ; and that then, advancing up its 
courfe till we found a ford at which to crofs 
it, I would repair to my camp at Orange- 
River. 
Such a plan was calculated to excite alarm, 
-by the long winding circuit which it annoua- 
ced. But it calmed the fimple perfonages I 
had to deal with, who had no idea of its ex- 
tent, and who, accuftomed to fee the fun rife 
and fet every day without reSefting on his 
progrefs, and without thinking of to-morrow^ 
knew nothing of this wefcern route, and faw 
in it only the means of returning. 
My words, indeed, were not able to roufe 
their depreiTed courage ; but they brought 
back to their hearts the illufioa of hope: and 
it was my bufiaefs to take advantage of their 
difpofition to accompliili my views. When 
I gave the fignal for our departure, every 
thing was in motion in my camp as ufuaJ j 
L 3 but 
