TRAVELS IN 
moment when they were to attack us. That 
moment they faid was approaching ; for they 
were fore, when led into the impalTable defiles 
of the mountains, that we fhould all one after 
another be raaffacred. 
Though this terror appeared to me abfurd, 
I could employ no argument to remove it 
but the favourable opinion I entertained of the 
Houzouanas. However, before I undertook 
fo hazardous a journey, the dangers and diffi- 
culties of which w^ere unknown to us, I con- 
ceived it prudent to learn 'whether I could 
depend upon any of m^y people, and whether 
the fear manifefted by the Nimiquas was gene- 
ral in my camp. 
I thought proper, therefore, to interrogate 
Klaas, the moft faithful and moft fagacious of 
all my troop, and who, on that account, 
was become my counfellor and friend. I afked 
Iiim if, during his intercourfe with the Hou- 
zouanas, and the many opportunities he muft 
have had of obferving their conduft, he had 
feen any thing that ought to infpire me with 
cliftruft refpe6:ing their propofal ; any thing 
that fhould lead me to apprehend that, by 
means of their fignals, they had kept up a 
7 corre- 
