214 TRAVELS IN 
fcend. Next day, and for feveral days fucccf- 
fively, I returned to my ftation, at break of 
day. I ported myfelf in the thicket, but all 
my vigilance was inefFedtual. This bufmefs 
was very laborious: becaufe, to go and return, 
I was obliged to pafs the river twice ; and at 
thefe times it was neceflary to wait for the 
ebbing of the tide. 
Tired out at laft, as I wafted my time with- 
out being able to fucceed, I took two Hotten- 
tots with me; and crofting the river, in the 
middle of the night, conducted them to a fpot 
near the trunk of the old tree, where I made 
them dig a hole three feet wide and four deep. 
When it was made, I placed myfelf in It; 
and having ordered them to cover the hole 
over my head with a few fticks, a piece of a 
mat, and fome earth, I referved only a fmall 
opening, fufficiently large for me to put my 
fufee through it, and to fee the old trunk. I 
then defired my people to return to the camp. 
Day approached, but the cruel birds did not - 
make their appearance. The earth feeming 
to be newly thrown up, had no doubt ren- 
dered them fufpicious; and this was a circum- 
ftance which I had not at firft thought of. 
At the clofe of the night, I came forth from 
: . my 
