eable, mounting alternately the ass of Captain Begnere.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CARAVAN REGAINS THE SHORE--A SAIL IS DISCOVERED--IT BRINGS
ASSISTANCE TO THE CARAVAN--GREAT GENEROSITY OF AN
ENGLISHMAN--CONTINUATION OF THEIR JOURNEY--EXTRAORDINARY
HEAT--THEY KILL A BULLOCK--REPAST OF THE CARAVAN--AT LAST THEY
DISCOVER THE RIVER SENEGAL--JOY OF THE UNFORTUNATE--M. PICARD
RECEIVES ASSISTANCE FROM SOME OLD FRIENDS AT SENEGAL--HOSPITALITY
OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLAND OF ST LOUIS TOWARDS EVERY PERSON
OF THE CARAVAN.

At five in the morning of the 11th of July we regained the sea-shore.
Our asses, fatigued with the long journey among the sands, ran instantly
and lay down among the breakers, in spite of our utmost exertions to
prevent them. This caused several of us to take a bath we wished not: I
was myself held under my ass in the water, and had great difficulty in
saving one of my young brothers who was floating away. But, in the end,
as this incident had no unfortunate issue, we laughed, and continued our
route, some on foot, and some on the capricious asses. Towards ten
o'clock, perceiving a ship out at sea, we attached a white handkerchief
to the muzzle of a gun, waving it in the air, and soon had the
satisfaction of seeing it was noticed. The ship having approached
sufficiently near the coast, the Moors who were with us threw themselves
into the sea, and swam to it. It must be said we had very wrongfully
supposed that these people had had a design against us, for their
devotion could not appear greater than when five of them darted through
the waves to endeavour to communicate between us and the ship;
notwithstanding, it was still a good quarter of a league distant from
where we stood on the beach. In about half an hour we saw these good
Moors returning, making float before them three small barrels. Arrived
on shore, one of them gave a letter to M. Espiau from M. Parnajon. This
gentleman was the captain of the Argus brig, sent to seek after the
raft, and to give us provisions. This letter announced a small barrel of
biscuit, a tierce of wine, a half tierce of brandy, and a Dutch cheese.
O fortunate event! We were very desirous of testifying our gratitude to
the generous commander of the brig, but he instantly set out and left
us. We staved the barrels which held our small stock of provisions, and
made a distribution. Each of us had a biscuit, about a glass of wine, a
half glass of brandy, and a small morsel of ch