AFRICA. 197 
pafture, informed me that thefe people were 
Boilimen : yet, as our arms left us no rcafon to 
fear them, notwithftanding their number, we 
repaired to the huts. Our arrival had put to 
flight every inhabitant. We found in them 
nothing but a few pieces of dried meat, and a 
bag of locufts ; but we difcovered the fpring 
which we fo eagerly fought ; and, though it 
was not ample, when we had enlarged its 
bafm, it fufficed to water my whole caravan. 
The great fatigue my cattle had undergone 
for two days, and the need they had of reft, 
obliged me to encamp there. On the other 
hand I had to fear, that, if I paffed the night 
there, the owners of the huts w^ould avail them- 
felves of its darknefs to attack me by furprife. 
To protect myfelf againft them, I lighted up 
a great many fire?, and kept ftridt watch, 
which indeed prevented them from appearing; 
and the next day, on my departure, I made a 
general difcharge of all my guns, to let them 
know I was in a fituation to defend myfelf, 
and had nothing to fear, if the hope of plunder 
fhould induce them to follow me. However, 
while thus announcing that I was not afraid of 
them as enemies, I acled towards them as a 
O 3 friend. 
