354 TRAVELS IN 
exadly. After our fires were kindled for 
the night, which was not eafily done, as the 
earth was moift, and our wood exceedingly 
wet, I regaled my people with tea, and I am 
certain that upon one ounce they poured at 
leafl: fifty pints of boiling water. 
This evening was one of the moft amufing 
I had ever fpent. I had ftill the fame jokes 
and the fame merry tales from thefe good peo- 
ple, who, all feated around a large fire, en- 
deavoured to divert their mafter, and, defirous 
to engage his attention and give him proofs 
of their attachment and fincerity, made him 
eafily forget what mafter-piece was crowned 
that day in fuch or fuch an academy. ^ My 
Lyceum was undoubtedly as good as any 
other of the fame kind. The prowefs to be 
fhewn next morning in hunting the hippo- 
potamus was above all brought upon the car- 
pet : every body hoped to be of the party ; 
'^nd I found great difficulty in arranging it 
fo as to pleafe all. I was defirous that fome 
of thefe fportfmen fiiould difperfe themfelves 
throughout the country, to fhoot antelopes, on 
which I depended more for provifions than 
on hippopotami, as the banks of the river 
were fa covered with reeds and large trees, 
that 
I 
