AFRICA. 191 
After fuch intelligence, it was impoffible for 
me to proceed farther. Befides expofing mjr 
felf to the hazard of lofing all my cattle, and 
of leaving in the defert the greater part of my 
effedts, I could not forget that I had every day 
to feed, independently of my own party, forty 
new mouths ; and that for fuch a multitude an 
abundance of large game would be requifite* 
In a country that afforded neither pafturage 
nor water, what hopes were there of finding 
fuch game, when the period of their pafTage 
was elapfed ? The cafe was now different from 
what it had been in the fertile plains of Caf- 
fraria, when the body of Hottentots in my train, 
who were fo interefting and of fo much import- 
ance to mc, having plenty of every thing, 
increafed the happinefs of my fituation by the 
moft agreeable relaxations and the moft varied 
amufements. Here wretchednefs and fatigue 
were likely to be my conftant companions; and, 
though free from the apprehenfions and terror 
which pervaded my whole company, I waS' 
• far from beholding with the fame eye, as in 
that inftance, thefe new favages, alToeiated with 
me in my excurfions, and offering to fhare m 
my fatigue. My only refource, under the 
3 prefent 
