io8 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
1779 - On hearinp; this we determined to remain where we were till 
Auguit. , ^ 
—V—' day-light, when we proceeded on our journey, through the 
moil barren country I ever vifited. Several of our Hottentots 
complained, and wanted much to return. After travelling all 
day and towards the evening, not difcerning any appearance 
of water, the country every where being equally dry, we con- 
fulted with our guide, who feemed not perfedly to know, whe¬ 
ther we had paffed the water or not. We all agreed to fet 
out with our guide in fearch of water, and leave the waggons 
under the care of a fervant of Colonel Gordon, and took with 
us a few bottles, that if we Hiould be fortunate enough to 
find water, we might fend fome to our Hottentots, who had 
not tafted any for two days. After travelling about four miles, 
we difcovered a fountain on the fhore, but which at high 
water was overflowed by the fea. This water was extremely 
difagreeable, and the quantity fo fmall as to be barely fuffi- 
cient for ourfelves and our horfes. After flightly refrefhing 
ourfelves. Colonel Gordon and an Hottentot returned to the 
waggon and took with them fome water for our fervants, while 
we determined to remain at the fountain. Here we fliot fome- 
Flamingoes, which we eat. About midnight one of our Hot¬ 
tentots arrived, who had been abfent from us two days ; he 
had fhot a Chamois Bock, part of which he brought with him,, 
and it proved good eating. 
The fiicceeding day we made an excurfion along the coaff,. 
which is low and rocky, with ffrong furfs off flrore, which 
break about four miles from the land. We tried to fifli at 
feveral places, without fuccefs, but the rocks were covered 
