AFRICA. 169 
the company by which I was attended, my 
colour, my fudden and unexpeded arrival, 
neceflarily had a finifter appearance to a maa 
who was continually apprehenfive of being be- 
trayed, purlued, and arrefted. Fear was de- 
pided on his countenance ; even his children, 
frightened ^t my approach, fled and difap- 
peared. 
My firft care was to remove the terrors of 
which I had been the innocent caufe. To 
put an end to them as fpeedily as polTible, I 
told the fugitive that I came to deliver into 
his hands a letter from Colonel Gordon, of 
which I was the bearer. At the name of 
Gordon, joy fparkled in his before appalled 
countenance : he beheld me as a friend ; and 
was eager to teftify it by offermg me his hand» 
The little fwarm then quickly drew near, and 
contended who fhould moft load him with 
carefles. For my part, envious rather of the 
happinefs he muft enjoy in fuch a fituatioa 
than ftruck with his apprehenfions, I already 
began to promife myfelf the fatisfadion of 
completely quieting his mind, and obtaining 
for him every aflurance of being permitted to 
remain undifturbed. But, though no life could 
