A F I C A. 173 
^efign of turning towards the eaft, I was a 
little acquainted with the confines of CafFraria, 
and I flattered myfelfj that, between the chain 
of Camis and the country of the Tambouquis, 
which borders on that of the CafFres, I fliould 
perhaps be fortunate enough to difcover fome 
paflage, which would allow me to penetrate into 
the eaftern country. I knew alfo, that the lofty 
mountains, which occupy the centre of fouth« 
ern Africa, give rife to many rivers, fome of 
which flow weftward to the Atlantic ocean^ 
while others, taking an oppofite courfe, dif- 
cmbogue themfelves into the fea on the eafl:. 
The latter I knew to be more numerous and 
ample than the former ; and I hoped, that by 
following their courfe, and the valleys through 
which they ran, I might efeape from the exe- 
crable country in which I found myfelf obliged 
continually to flop. 
One confideration alone checked me. I was 
almoft within fight of the diftrid: of the giraffes. 
Thefe animals, fo little known to naturalifts, 
and even to the inhabitants of the colony, had 
long been the objeds of my mod eager curi- 
ofity. One of the chief motives of my journey 
had been toftudy and become acquainted with 
them ; 
