AFRICA. 13 
of the preceding evening had particularly ag- 
gravated our diftrefs ; becaufe, dying with 
thirft, and feduced by the appearance of a 
fpring, we had indulged ourfelves freely in 
drinking it. This had inflamed our tongues, 
our gums, and even the infide of our throats. 
In fuch a ftate of the fauces, it is eafy to con- 
ceive, that the continued ufe of fuch water, in- 
ftead of refrefhing us and allaying our thirft, 
would tend only to increafe the inflammation. 
Some of my Hottentots had ventured to moiften 
their tongues with it on the road, and it gave 
them the fame burning fenfation as a cauftic 
would have occafioned ; it is, therefore, by no 
means furprifmg, that they felt refpefting it 
the dreadful horror which thofe feel for water 
who have been bitten by a mad dog. 
At length, having perceived nothing, and 
the fun difappearing from the mountain, we 
fought for a convenient place in which to pafs 
the night. We kindled a fire behind a large 
rock, that w^e might not be difcovered by the 
Bofhmen, and betook ourfelves to reft. All 
my Hottentots, fquatting round the fire, with, 
their elbows refting on their knees, and their 
cheeks on their hands, preferved that melan- 
choly 
