. AFRICA. 285 
fli-emfelves eagerly around me. In a momentthe 
whole heavens were overcaft, and the clouds 
blackened delightfully over our heads. My 
heart palpitated with joy and apprehenfion. 
I waited with the moft eager impatience for 
the happy efiedls of the ftorm ; every inftant 
expecting it to defcend upon us in a torrent of 
rain. Traqfient hopes ! horrible, horrible joy 1 
Scattered by the v^ind, the clouds difappeared 
from over our heads, and funk below the hori- 
zon. This fpedacle ftruck every one of us 
with fo great a confternation, as to deprive us 
of all power of Ipeech or motion. Defpair 
became impreffed upon the moft refolute of my 
people ; and the dead filence that followed, 
fliewed how vain it vyas to call upon them for 
confolalion or affiftance. 
Daring the night two of rny oxen had died, 
p.nd three of my dogs had deferted me. I loft 
alfo one of my hoife^s, which I faw expire be- 
fore my eyes. Thus was I lofmg one by one 
my whole ftock of cattle ; and I beheld them 
perifh with the more regret, becaufe, having 
ftiared in my fatigues, I had become attached 
to them as fo many fervant^ of my houfehold. 
^hey approached llowly indeed to their laft 
moments, 
