220 
T Pv A y E L S IN 
This language, from a man fo obfervant, 
faithful, and intrepid, fixed my refolution. It 
was of little importance tome, whether the 
Nimiquas and others of the fame chara6ter 
were afraid or not, or whether they followed 
me or ftaid behind. I was determined to pur- 
fue the route pointed out to me by the Hou-. 
zouanas, and to abandon myfelf entirely to 
their diredion. Befides, I was certain that, 
when I fet out, my poltroons would infallibly 
accompany me; which was really the cafe. 
None but a nation, ad:ive and indefatigable 
as the Hcuzouanas, would have attempted to 
crofs thefe mountains, or have fuccecded in 
their enterprife. For my part^ I foon found 
fo many obftacles and embarraillnents, that, 
unattended by fuch guides, L freely confefs I 
lliould have confidered the undertaking as the 
height of folly, and given inftant orders to my 
people to return. 
The Houzouanas themfelves had even ex- 
peded this ; and they endeavoured, in every 
poffible vv^ay, to animate and encourage us, 
I faw them run on before, afcend the higheft 
peaks to difcover the eafiefl: paffages, and re- 
turn alertly to point them out to us. They 
carqd 
