AFRICA. 241 
bdps they might dill want grafs. My glafs at 
leaft fhowcd mc only a parched fiirface, with- 
out either wood or verdure. Thus, to what- 
ever fide I dhxded my views, I perceived no- 
thing but fubjeds of difcouragement. Yet it 
Was necefiary to come to fome determination, 
and to extricate myfelf from the defperate 
fituation in which I was placed. 
V/ailed as my oxen were, every thing told 
me I muft no longer reckon upon them, but 
confider them^ as dead. Thus deftitute of 
cattle, my only refource w^as to endeavour to 
preferve m.y effects, my people, and my other 
domicfuc animals. If I left'thefe in the camp, 
I. was certain the men would not want food; 
and the known fidelity of Svv^anepoel v/as a 
fulFicient fecurity for my w^aggons. In the 
mean time I could be abfent a few weeks.^ tra- 
verfe the country beyond the river, and there 
traffic with the different people 1 fliould find 
for cattle to recruit miy teams. 
, This excurfion alfo would allow me to feek 
for giraffes, and perhaps to kill fome; and (a 
great a pleafure would at leaft recompenfe me 
for the fatigue and expence of a difaftrous 
journey, undertaken at an improper feafon. 
Vol. II. R I fixed 
