148 TRAVELS IN 
that time was not fordable. As this country 
was covered with wood, I flattered myfelf 
with the hopes of finding pretty birds and 
infeds : refolving, therefore, to wait till the 
river fhould dccreafe, I ordered my tents to 
be ereded at the edge of the foreft, while my 
Hottentots conftruded fome huts. 
I was, however, very unlucky ; for the in- 
habitants of the neighbourhood, informed of 
my arrival, came with great eagernefs to pay 
me a vifit, and to difturb me in my charming 
retreat. I was teafed with the long pream- 
bles they made to their obliging fpeeches, in 
which they reproached me for not fl:opping 
among them ; and haraffing me with the offers 
which they repeated, under a thoufand dif- 
ferent forms, to prevail upon me, they men- 
tioned, with much emphafis, feveral curious 
travellers whom they had entertained, and 
particularly Dr. Sparmann, a member of the 
Swedifh Academy : but, however refpedable 
this authority appeared, I thought proper not 
to quit my camp. 
I had refolved never to lodge in any habi- 
tation, during the courfe of my travels, that I 
might be more at freedom, both in the day- 
time 
