AFRICA. 315 
me to find any means of letting them know 
that I was not among the number of then" 
perfecutors; and that I neither belonged to 
their nation, nor entertained the fame fenti- 
ments : but they might have fallen fuddenly 
on my camp, and caufed great devaftation, 
before we had explained ourfelves to each 
other. This confideration induced me to choofe 
for this time, contrary to my ufual cuftom, 
an elevated fpot for my camp ; from which I 
might have an extenfive profpeft every where 
around. When I had fixed upon one, I or- 
dered my tent to be ereftcd i my carriages and 
oxen to be properly difpofed ; and a few huts, 
merely for the purpofe of making a fhew, to 
be conflrufled at the dlftance of a few paces. 
I then pitched my miUtary tent within a gun- 
Ihot of my camp, and covered it with branches 
pf trees, that it might not be perceived; as I 
intended to pafs the night in it, along with my 
people : by this manoeuvre I deceived the 
enemy ; for had they made their appearance, 
with a view of furprifing me in my camp, 
they would undoubtedly have been difap- 
pointed, to their own ruin. I fhould then 
have had time to fall upon them, and to 
furprife them in my turn. 
• We 
