AFRICA. S33 
JLIon-River, which I fhould fall in with 
again. 
The neceflity of a watering place for my 
people and cattle made me turn to that fide ; 
but I was deceived in my expedation. The 
river had no water ; and we v/ere obliged to 
pafs a night without any. To add to our 
vexation, the place was full of piatadoes ; 
birds of ill. omen, which always indicate by 
their prefence a wretched country. Their 
cries prevented us from clcfmg our eyes. The 
place where we palTed the night I called Pin-' 
tado Camp ; and, as foon as day broke, I 
haftened to quit it, in hopes of finding a better. 
That day fortune favoured us; for, after 
travelling north-eaft three hours, we found a 
fpring of excellent water, to which I gave the 
name oi Tortolfe Fountain^ becaufe I found 
near its bed a fpecies of tortoiie that I had never 
feen before. It weighed upwards of twelve 
pounds, and contained a confiderable quantity 
of eggs of all fizes, among which was a fcore 
of yellow ones as large as thofe of a hen. I had 
it broiled on the coals; and its white flelh,which 
was as tender as that of a chicken, alForded me 
an excellent fupper. 
The 
