AFRICA; 231 
fluttered in hundreds around us, fqueaklng, and 
every now and then flapping their wings in 
our faces. In vain did we attempt to defend 
ourfelves ; the threatening crowd only in- 
creafed, and we received blows from every 
quarter. Favoured by the darknefs, I perhaps 
might have fecured myfelf againft their infults 
by returning to my waggon ; but how efcape 
from the piercing din of this countlefs multi- 
tude, which made the very rocks refound with 
their cries ? My cattle alfo were as much an- 
noyed by them as ourfelves ; and every thing 
announced a difagreeable night, wi hout the 
hope of relief. In this diftrefling htuation, I 
faw only one courfe to be purfued ; which 
was, to decamp immediately, and leave the 
field of battle to thefe troublefome and obfti- 
nate enemies, 
I accordingly gave orders to flrike our tents 
and yoke the cattle, and, proceeding down the 
]Elephants-River, encamped at a place called in 
the Hottentot language Kr.ekenap^ and in Dutch 
^ack-hooyc, 
Notwithftanding the vexation and ill hu- 
piour into which this nodurnal decampment, 
^nd the adventure that occafioned it, had 
0^4 tbrow^^ 
