170 t R A V E L S I N 
arrived In their cantons, I fucceeded, thougli 
not without difEcuhy, in my fearch. 
How ingenious are the devices of friendfhip ! 
And can I ever fufficiently acknowledge my 
obligations to that of Colonel Gordorx in this 
inftance, to which I owe not only my own life, 
but the lives of all my people ? It was in the 
midftofadry and burning defert, when obliged 
to abandon my waggons and effeds, after fee- 
ing all my oxen, one after another, perifli with 
thirft, when reduced, with my poor comrades, 
tothedeftitute fituation of having no other drink 
than the milk of my goats, and when inevitable 
death feemed to await alike both them and 
me — it was In this extremity I called to mind 
the planter and Hottentot to whom his provi- 
dent kindnefs had recommended me. Guided 
by his inftrudions, I entered upon the purfuit 
of thefe men ; I found them, and we w^efe 
faved. But let me not anticipate moments 
of anguifli, of which the recollection will 
be fufhciently bitter when I come to defcrlbe 
them. 
What reafon had I then to applaud myfelf 
for the precaution I took, and which doubtlefs 
fome good genius fuggefted to me, of increaf- 
