150 TRAVELS IN 
Eeficles, for the planters to be right in theu^ 
conjedure, this vegetable muft change its na- 
ture with the foil and climate ; fince, being in 
that cafe a narcotic in Africa, it is confidered 
at the fame time as a hydragogue in Europe. 
1 had too much reafon to dread the neigh- 
bourhood of a poifoned water to remain long 
at this place. Notwithftanding the extraor- 
dinary vigilance I required of my people, fome 
of my hearts might go to it to drink. I deemed 
it prudent, therefore, to depart as fpeedily a$ 
poflible, and I continued my journey. 
We were in the country of the lefs Nimi- 
quas. Two leagues beyond the refervoir we 
perceived a few of thofe people keeping their 
herds ; but, alarmed at the fight of my caravan, 
they betook themfelves to flight. I fpurred 
my horfe on towards them, to remove their 
fears, and get from them fome information ; 
for, having an unknown country to traverfe, I 
could obtain afli fiance and information only 
from the hordes by which it was inhabited. 
They told me, that a league farther on was a 
horde of their nation, among which dwelt a 
white woman, whofe cattle tbey were keep- 
ing. 
We 
