ilor. That seaman, seeing I was ill, offered to exchange
my meat for some which he had had the address to boil in a small
tin-box. I prayed him to give me a little water if he had any, and he
instantly went and fetched me some in his hat. My thirst was so great
that I drank it out of this nasty cap without the slightest repugnance.

A short while after, every one awoke, and again took the route for
arriving at Senegal at an early hour. Towards seven in the morning,
having fallen a little behind the caravan, I saw several Moors coming
towards me armed with lances. A young sailor boy, aged about twelve
years, who sometimes walked with me, stopped and cried in great terror,
"Ah! my God, lady, see the Moors are coming, and the caravan is already
a great way before us; if they should carry us away?" I told him to fear
nothing, although I was really more frightened than he was. These Arabs
of the Desert soon came up to us. One of them advanced with a
threatening air, and stopping my ass, addressed to me, in his barbarous
language, some words which he pronounced with menacing gestures. My
little ship-boy having made his escape, I began to weep; for the Moor
always prevented my ass going forward, who was perhaps as well content
at resting a little. However, from the gestures which he made, I
supposed he wished to know whither I was going, and I cried as loud as
I could, "_Ndar! Ndar!_" (Senegal! Senegal!) the only African words I
then knew. At this the Moor let go the bridle of my ass, and also
assisted me by making him feel the full weight of the pole of his lance,
and then ran off to his companions, who were roaring and laughing. I was
well content at being freed from my fears; and what with the word
_ndar_, and the famous thump of his spear, which was doubtless intended
for my ass, I soon rejoined the caravan. I told my parents of my
adventure, who were ignorant of what had detained me; they reprimanded
me as they ought, and I promised faithfully never again to quit them.

At nine o'clock we met upon the shore a large flock herded by young
Moors. These shepherds sold us milk, and one of them offered to lend my
father an ass for a knife which he had seen him take from his pocket. My
father having accepted the proposal, the Moor left his companions to
accompany us as far as the river Senegal, from which we were yet two
good leagues. There happened a circumstance in the forenoon which had
like to have proved troublesome, but it