2i6 TRAVELS IN 
Defirous of knowing with what neighbours 
or what enemies we had to deal, I procured a 
light, and perceived through the fmoke that 
the 'fugitives were elephants. By our fires, 
however, and by difcharging a few volleys 
from time to time, we foon got rid of them, 
and paded the night In tolerable quiet. 
When day appeared, I found that the chain 
of mountains altered its diredion, and ftretched 
to the weft till it difappeared from the view. 
My firft plan had been to advance to that 
quarter ; but I could not, at prefent, perfevere 
in it, without expofing myfelf and people to 
the danger of that horrid peftilence which 
ravaged the country. I confulted, therefore, 
my Houzouanas as to what route remained by 
which to reach Fifh-River ; for, eventually, 
it was there I wiQied to arive, and it was 
there alfo they had agreed to conduct me. 
, My demand could not fail to give them fa- 
tlsfadion, fmce, by putting it In their power 
to guide me to the river by the fhorteft road, 
they would be the fooner able to difcharge 
their engagement, and the fooner at liberty to 
go in fearch of their cQznpanions, and return 
to their home. 
They 
