AFRICA. ^223 
does not lead me into fuch rafli enterprizes, 
and has given place to calmer ideas : the 
remembrance of it ftill affedls me, and makei 
me fhudden 
Purfuing the traces of our animals without 
ever lofmg fight of them, we arrived at a very- 
large open part of the foreft, in which there 
were only a few fhrubs, and fome underwood. 
Having flopped here, one of my Hottentots 
climbed up a tree to get a better view; and 
carting his eyes every where around, he made 
a fign to us to be filent, by putting his finger 
to his mouth; and fignified by his hand, which 
he opened and fhut feveral times, what num- 
ber of elephants he perceived. When he 
defcended we held a council; and going to 
the leeward of them, that we might approach 
without being difcovered, he conduded me 
through the buflies fo near, that he brought 
me quite clofe to thefe enormous animals. I 
almoft touched them, as I may fay, and yet I did 
not obferve them ; though I can fafely declare 
that my eyes were not fafcinated by fear. In 
fuch fituations one muft run great rifks, and 
prepare for danger, I flood upon a fmall 
eminence juft above the elephant. In vain 
did my courageous Hottentot point It out 
4 - with 
