AFRICA. 309 
totally unknown to me, I was aflalled by a 
thoufand confufed and contradidory ideas, 
which difturbed me during the whole night. 
My firft projed', it is true, had been to tra- 
verfe Africa from one extremity to the other. 
All my preparations at my departure from the 
Cape, and every ftep, every precaution I had 
taken fmce, had tended foleiy to this end; 
and ftill it was my fingle purpofe, notwith- 
ftanding the obftacles that were continually 
arifmg from the adverfe feafons. 
Hitherto my mind had ftood up firmly 
againft every thing that cppofed my progrefs ; 
and I fek in my breaft the courage ftill to 
brave whatever might oppofe it anew. But I 
conceived myfelf flopped by an infuperable 
difficulty, that of taking my waggons with me : 
and what vv^as yet more afflidlng, if I left my 
waggons on the banks of Orange-River, I 
abandoned at the fame time the birds, qua- 
drupeds, and infeds, which I had procured 
fmce I left the Cape, and that giraffe, the ac- 
quifition of which had occafioned me fo much 
joy: a valuable and efteemed colledion, pur- 
chafed by great flitigue, exertion, and danger. 
Thus I was always led to refled, that the tra- 
X 3 verfing 
