AFRICA. 345 
attack In the midft of our fort, In which we 
might have defied all the Bolhinen of Africa. 
The Qxen were tied up in a circle round the 
infide of the inclofure, and fo near us, that 
we cou'd almoft touch them with our hands. 
Thus defended, it was impoffible to think of 
carrying them olF. But their proximity had 
one inconvenience ; the noife they made by 
their different movements, and the uneafmefs 
they ftiowed from time to time, and which we 
conlidered as indications either of Bofhmcn 
or of wild beafts, kept us fo conftantly on the 
alarm, that it was impoflible for one of us to 
clofe his eyes. 
The night, however, though very unquiet, 
paffed without our being any otherwife diC- 
turbed. We heard nothing but hyenas and 
jackals, the cries of which, in our fituation, 
were pleafing prognoftics, as they convinced 
us that there were no Bofhmen in the plain. 
Notwithftanding this proof of fecurity, I 
was unwilling to refume my journey till the 
fun had made his appearance. Indeed we had 
not above live leagues to travel; and, of courfe, 
the day was more than fufficient for fo Ihort a 
?narch. It is true, that as we refolved to pro- 
ceed 
