the heart of Africa, but first thought it expedient to place a number of
wheels under the ark for its greater facility of advancing. We journeyed
nearly due north for several days, and met with nothing remarkable
except the astonishment of the savage natives to behold our equipage.

The Dutch Government at the Cape, to do them justice, gave us every
possible assistance for the expedition. I presume they had received
instruction on that head from their High Mightinesses in Holland.
However, they presented us with a specimen of some of the most excellent
of their Cape wine, and showed us every politeness in their power. As
to the face of the country, as we advanced, it appeared in many places
capable of every cultivation, and of abundant fertility. The natives
and Hottentots of this part of Africa have been frequently described
by travellers, and therefore it is not necessary to say any more about
them. But in the more interior parts of Africa the appearance, manners,
and genius of the people are totally different.

We directed our course by the compass and the stars, getting every
day prodigious quantities of game in the woods, and at night encamping
within a proper enclosure for fear of the wild beasts. One whole day in
particular we heard on every side, among the hills, the horrible roaring
of lions, resounding from rock to rock like broken thunder. It seemed
as if there was a general rendezvous of all these savage animals to fall
upon our party. That whole day we advanced with caution, our hunters
scarcely venturing beyond pistol shot from the caravan for fear of
dissolution. At night we encamped as usual, and threw up a circular
entrenchment round our tents. We had scarce retired to repose when we
found ourselves serenaded by at least one thousand lions, approaching
equally on every side, and within a hundred paces. Our cattle showed the
most horrible symptoms of fear, all trembling, and in cold perspiration.