274 TRAVELS IN 
fhould have, indeed, at the Elephants-RIvcr, 
though no pafturage, the confolatlon of water 
in abundance ; but to return through the 
fcorched plains we had left behind us, and to 
travel three days more, with fuch lean and ex- 
haufted animals, and in want too of every 
neceflary, was more than could be effe6led 
though fome god had been the charioteer. 
On the contrary, the other plan might plunge 
us ftill deeper perhaps in the abyfs ; but, con- 
cealed behind the veil of futurity, it was a re- 
fource that afforded us at leaft fome food for 
our hopes. 
Obliged to make a choice, I therefore gave 
the fignal for advancing ; and every thing was 
in motion for our departure. We abandoned 
the carri-age, after taking fuch things from it as 
I conceived would be nece^^ary for our ufe, 
and fubflituting in their ftead fome heavy 
boxes from the ether two vehicles, in order to 
render them lighter. Thefe articles I intended 
one day to recover, if circumftances proved 
favourable j and in the mean time I entrufted 
them to the care of heaven and the elephants. 
However, that no Hottentot hordes or planters 
from the frontiers, palTmg that way, might 
fave 
