372 TRAVELS IN 
My people, prejudiced againft this nation, 
were filled with alarm whenever they faw mc 
thus occupied. Every report of my gun made 
them tremble. They continually imagined 
that the Houzouanas were in the ad of aflaf- 
finating me, and that they fhould afterwards 
experience themfelves the fame fate ; and they 
never beheld me return to my camp without 
teftifying their joy, confidering me as a man 
cfcaped from death • 
For myfelf, being daily employed in render- 
ing them fervices, and feeing thefe favages, on 
their part, ever ready to oblige me, I laughed 
at fuch vain terrors. In my way of judging, 
I had nothing to apprehend from a people who 
gained fo much by my prefence, and who 
would, confequently, have been confiderable 
lofers by my death. 
During the long excurfions which we made 
together, they in no inftance belied their cha- 
rader. In many refpeds they appeared to 
refemble the Arabs, who, being alfo wander- 
ers, and like them brave and addided to ra- 
pine, adhere with unalterable fidelity to their 
engagements, and defend, even to the laft drop 
©f their blood, the traveller who civilly pur- 
chafes 
