i^B TRAVELS IN 
in with a ftrange tribe. Being thus deprived 
of his companion, he continued to live with his 
protedors, and by his courage he was become 
in a manner their chief. 
I excufed his defertion ; It appeared to me 
lawful and right ; but I could not comprehend 
why he had preferred a refidence among ban- 
ditti, whofe profeffion was robbery and mur- 
der. Having, fomewhat mildly, reproached 
him on this account, he addreffed me as fol- 
lows : 
" The Houzouanas are by no means what 
" you fuppofe th^em to be, murderers by pro- 
" feffion. If they fometimes fhed blood, it is 
" not from a thirft of carnage, but to make 
" juft reprifals that they take up arms. At- 
" tacked and perfecuted by furrounding na- 
tions, they have found themfelves reduced to 
** the neceffity of flying to inacceflible places 
" among the barren mountains, where no 
" other people could exift. - 
" If they find antelopes and damans to kill ; 
*^ if the nymphs of ants are abundant ; or if 
" their good fortune brings them plenty of lo- 
cufts, they remain within the precinds of 
"their rocks; but, if the provifions neceflary 
" to 
