i8 TRAVELS IN 
by fome wild beaft, probably while going ii^ 
fearch of water. 
Both thefe conjedures appeared to me 
equally improbable. We had been wandering 
about the mountains a whole day, without 
difcovering any where a fmgle Bofhman, or 
the leaft trace of one. Befides, fuppofmg a 
horde of thefe robbers to exift in fome of the 
paffes, what likelihood was there, that they 
could have attacked him without our perceiv- 
ing itj as Jantje, which was his name, would 
certainly have defended himfelf, and called for 
affiftance. The fame reafoning would equally 
apply to the other fuppofition. Carnivorous 
animals inhabit only fuch diftrids as abound 
In game, v^liere they find of courfe a ready 
fupply of food. This was not the cafe here, 
and accordingly we had found not one fero- 
cious animal. Thus, therefore, I was per- 
faaded, that Jantje had neither beeri carried ofF 
by the Boihmen, nor devoured by a wild beaft. 
I had far more reafon to apprehend, that, 
wearied of the laborious and painful life he 
had for fome time led, he had refolved to quit 
me, and had ftolen oif in the night ; or that^ 
worn out with want and fatigue, incapable of 
refiii- 
