AFRICA. 305 
had accufed, now turned their fufplcions to 
another that refided five leagues from the river, 
on the fide we had quitted ; and, in fadt, 
every footftcp pointed to the river, not one 
from it. 
So many contradidions feemed created on 
purpofe to difcourage me ; yet had they no 
other efFe£t than to provoke and animate me 
the more. Accordingly we paffed the river a 
third time, and, after (topping to take fome re- 
frefliment, refamed our purfuit of the track, 
which at firft, for the fpace of a lea-ue^ led us 
north- weft, and then approached Orange- River 
once more by a large circuit, which brought 
us nearly back to the place where we had 
crofl^ed it the preceding evenir g. 
Thus, after various turnings and windings, 
after three days toilfome travelling, we were 
obliged to pafs the river a fourth time. To 
deceive and miflead me with refped: to their 
Gourfe, the plunderers, with artful and deep- 
laid contrivance, had crofled it themfeh es three 
times ; and thereby led me, by forced marches 
and countermarches, to a confiderable diftance 
after a horde which hved fcarcely more than 
Vol. III. X eighteen 
