286 TRAVELS IN 
formed in my abfence. After nine days of 
this warm tanning, perceiving that the fkin, 
though not yet fo dry as was neceflary for its 
prefervation, would be incapable of having 
any thing done to it if it were drier, I directed 
it to be folded in four, and tied with thongs, 
with the head and feet uppermoft. In this 
ftate it formed a bundle fix feet fquare by three 
feet and a half thick. 
The difSculty of taking fuch a burden with 
me through the whole of my journey fuggefted 
to me the idea of leaving it in truft with my 
good neighbours the Caminouquas, and tak- 
ing it from them on my return. But I re- 
collected that my plan was to traverfe the 
whole continent of Africa, and then I fliould 
never return ; and, if I were obliged to return 
iinfuccefsful, was it probable that it would be 
exadly by the fame route ? Befides, I wifhed 
to leave it behind me, and yet to have it con- 
ftantly under my eyes. I was too much at- 
tached to this precious treafure to prevail on 
myfelf to abandon it. 
On the other hand, I had reafon to fear that 
the ll^in would fpoil for want of ca^'e during 
my abfence ; and I was convinced how dif- 
ficult 
