2^6 TRAVELS IN 
Hottentots could do, carried along by the cur- 
rent, toffed this way^and that, and ready every 
moment to lofe my equilibrium. 
The danger was imminent. The fwimmers 
in the rear precipitately quitted their poft, and, 
feizing the thongs, all four endeavoured to pull 
me forward v^'ith their utmoft ftrength. I at- 
tempted by the ufe of my feet to aflift their ef- 
forts. Their exertions were incredible : they 
had promifed to place me in fafety on the op- 
pofite ftiore, and they deemed themfelves 
obliged rather to die than to quit their under- 
taking; but, notwithftanding their unfliaken 
fidelity, I began to defpair. The force of the 
current feemed flronger and ftronger ; it drew 
me every moment towards the fea ; and I faw 
no profpedl of fafety but in quitting the trunk, 
the accoutrements about my neck, my guns, 
and all my conveniences, and cafting myfelf 
upon the mercy of my Hottentots, hoping that 
they, by furrounding me, would be able to 
keep me above water, and convey me either 
to the fhore we fought, or the fhore we had 
left. 
In the midfl of the moft lively alarm I had 
ever experienced, would it be fuppofed what 
. , was 
