A iF R I C A. 1241 
toiints I had received from Europe fmce my 
departure, it would be difficult to defcribe 
with what impatience and agitation I received 
them from the meflengen Uncertain what 
I was to learn from them, I had fcarcely 
ftrength fufEcient to open them ; and it may 
be readily gueffed that I did not wait until I 
had returned to the camp, to fatisfy myfelf on 
this fubjeft. They were all from my deareft 
friends, and my wife ; my eyes ran over them 
quicker than lightning : but I every where 
found caufe for being happy ; for I obferved 
that I was beloved and regretted. The ten- 
dereft friendfhip came to feek me in the bofom 
of my defarts, and to overwhelm my heart 
"with its delights. I could neither fpeak, figh, 
nor weep — I could only remain in the fpot 
where I was, ready to die with joy ; but I 
gradually recovered my fenfes, and returned 
to my camp. 
When thefe firft tranfports had fubfided, I 
fhut myfelf up in my tent; and giving free 
vent to my tears, which afforded me relief, 
I immediately began to write anfwers to thefe 
letters : I dated mine from the camp of Auienl* 
qua J the day on which I had killed four elephants. 
One of thefe letters, which contained iomQ in« 
Vol. I. - Jl tere fling 
