I 
AFRICA. 287 
imagining that we had fallen In with fome 
Caffres, placed in ambufh to Intercept us ; but 
I paid very little attention to their abfurd rea- 
foning. I thought it was impoffible that my 
advanced guard could have paffed, without be- 
ing attacked ; and I perceived that they were 
peaceably purfuing their journey, without the 
leafl: appearance of diforder. I therefore put 
fpurs to my horfe ; and advancing through the 
bufhes, w^as much aftonifhed to find only a por- 
cupine, furrounded by my dogs, from which it 
was endeavouring to defend itfelf. I imme- 
diately killed it ; and fearing left the report of 
my mufket might lead my people into an 
error, and induce them to take fome rafh ftep, 
I returned towards them, and by ridiculing 
their timidity convinced them that I was not 
daunted by trifles. 
The porcupine defends itfelf in a w^onderful 
manner. Its quills fhelter it from every at- 
tempt; and, when a dog approaches, it artfully 
eludes him, makes its attack on his flank, 
and, when he is once wounded he never again 
returns to the charge. Some of the quills al- 
ways remain flicking in his fiefh, which damp 
his courage, and caufe him to betake himfelf 
to flight. One of my Flottentots, who had 
been 
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