AFRICA. 233 
readers ; but it Is neceflary to relate every 
thing, fince fo many whimfical and abfurd 
notions have hitherto been entertained refpe<£l« 
ing this lingular country which I was tra- 
verfing. 
The reft of the morning we employed In 
plucking out its tulks ; as it was a female, they 
did not weigh twenty pounds : the animal 
herfelf was eight feet three inches in height. 
My people then loaded themfelves with all the 
provifions they could carry, and we fet out to 
return to our camp. We at firft propofed to 
follow the one we had left alive, and which 
had been wounded in fo cruel a manner ; but 
fo many had arrived during the night, that 
their traces were entirely confounded : we 
• were, befides, fo fatigued, that being afraid to 
difcourage thefe poor people, I refolved to lead 
them back as foon as poffible. 
The Hottentots poflefs the faculty of fight 
in the moft exquifite degree ; and this advan- 
tage is feconded by a very wonderful attention. 
Upon the drieft ground, where, notwithftand- 
ing its weight, the elephant leaves no traces 
perceptible to a common eye, amidft withered 
leaves fcattered and driven here and there by 
the wind, the African can diftinguifli the 
. prints 
