324 T R A V E L S I N 
fame fide, which fhewed they were united in 
a body there, and did not mean to feparate. 
This imprudence gave us a great advantage 
over them, by pointing at the fpot at v/hich we 
might diredt our guns. Such of my Hottentots 
as had arrows requefted that they might make 
ufe of them ahb ; but I would not permit it ; 
for their uncertain aim would have been ufelefs 
at the time, and would befides, while it ftripped 
us of our weapons, have furoilhed a fupply to 
ihe enemy. 
The fafell way in our fituation was to wait 
patiently, and fuiJcr them to exhauft their 
flock of arrows. Moil of them fell upwards 
of twenty paces from us, and thofe that reached 
us were fhot at random, and had fpent tlieir 
force ; fo that being myfelf wrapped in my 
cloak, and my people in their krofles, we had 
jiothing to fear from theiTi, 
What I forefaw took place. Our afTailants 
exhaulled their ammunition ; a few arrows only 
were nov^ fhot towards us at confiderable in- 
tervals ; and the approach of day foon made 
them give over the attack altogether, and 
think of nothing but retreating. 
It is certain that, thus difarmed aiid defence- 
lefs, 
