AFRICA. 291 
come a troublefome burden when they are led 
into diftant countries, where dangers arife at 
every ftep. 
They had flattered themfelves, that, as I 
could not proceed farther with my waggons, I 
fliould be obliged to return to ihe Cape, and 
leave them to their native indolence, with 
gain PiCqiiired without fatigue. My return, 
however, had no lhare in my thoughts ; and, 
had it even been my inchnatlon, it was far 
from being in my power. During the fix- 
and-twenty days I had been ablent, not only 
had I loft all my oxen except eleven, but thefe 
eleven were in fuch an exhausted ftate, that I 
had little hope of their recovery. I declared 
aloud, therefore, that I had returned to my 
camp only to get rid of my giraffe, and in- 
tended to depart again without delay, to vifit 
either the Greater Nimiquas, or fome other 
neighbouring people, that I might purchafe 
cattle to draw my carriages. 
To this impatience of return among my 
people was added another Inbjedi: of ^ppre- 
henfion, which was ftill more alarming. On 
my arrival at the camp, I had been accofted by 
an unknown perfon, who was come, he faid, 
U 2 only 
