AFRICA. 217 
They replied, that the river was on the 
other fide of the mountains behind us ; that if 
I would truft myfelf to their care, and agree 
to crofs the chain, they would in two days 
bring me to its banks ; that they were ac- 
quainted with the defiles, through which they 
pledged themfelves to convey my baggage in 
perfed: fafety ; and that the firft day, perhaps, 
would enable me to judge whether they were 
people who knew how to difcharge their pro- 
mlfes. 
For myfelf, having found them hitherto tena- 
cious of their word, I had no doubt of their 
fidelity,and refolved, with the fuUeft confidence, 
to give myfelf up to their diredion. This, how- 
ever, was not the cafe with my people. Their 
alarm revived, and they again imagined them- 
felves loft. The Greater Nimiquas, a timid 
race, incapable of adion in the time of danger, 
and always ready to be frightened at fhadows, 
were ftill the firft 10 difl^emmate terror. The 
lires which the Houzouanas every evening 
kindled on the eminences around us, had been 
to them an objed of continual dread. In their 
opii^ion, they were fignah made to call in 
other marauders, and give them notice of the 
moment 
