258 TRAVELS IN 
them. We were obliged, therefore, to fortify 
ourfelves with patience, and to wait till a new 
day fliould arrive to invigorate our ftrength* 
It appeared, but without bringing more fa- 
vourable weather ; and I refolved to return im- 
mediately to my camp by the fhorteft way I 
could find. As the rain had rendered my tent 
and other baggage exceedingly heavy, fo that 
my Hottentots were likely to be overloaded, I 
advifed them to abandon the two fkins of oil, 
that their burden might thereby be lightened. 
This was requefting, however, an impoffible 
facrifice ; and rather than have made it they 
would have left behind them their clothes. Too 
mindful of the fervices they had rendered me, 
and unwilling to offend them, I contented my- 
felf with taking Klaas along with me ; and I 
committed to his care my ibis, an obje£l: of 
which I was as tenacious as were my Hotten- 
tots of their oil. With regard to the other three, 
they were to take their own time, and return 
in whatever way they fliould find moft conve- 
nient. 
Towards evening we arrived oppofite my 
camp, to reach which we had only to crofs the 
river j and we were at a place where, with a 
little 
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