AFRICA. 271 
than as the commencement of a battle. Pre- 
fuming that the enemy was firing from fomc 
ambufli, and was endeavouring to diflodge 
us, i encouraged my people, and we refted 
under arms the whole night, refolved, in 
cafe of extremity, to fell our lives as dearly 
as poffible. 
When day appeared, I obferved indeed, at a 
certain diftance, a group of Hottentots ; but 
though they were in reality my own, not feeing 
the two oxen which ought to have accompanied 
them, my mind became more and more con- 
firmed in the idea that pre-occupied it, and I 
did not know them. Obferving them, how- 
ever, approach towards me, I went to meet 
them, and the illufion was prefently at an end. 
The air of dejcdion with which they accofted 
me fufficiently announced how well founded 
had been my forefight, when I oppofed their 
departure. They told me that they had gone 
in qucft of me too far to the north, fuppofing 
me to be more advanced in my journey ; but 
perceiving no traces either of my waggons, or 
animals, and apprehenfive that fome accident 
had retarded me, they had thought proper to 
return, and had proceeded towards Krekenap. 
With 
