rney might not be hindered.

The sun was just about setting, when, by the reflection of its rays (for
in this country the sun sets every day in a red sky), we discovered
tents scattered up and down upon a little eminence, and flocks which had
come there for pasturage.

The inhabitants of the village came out in throngs to meet us; but in
place of showing us any of the pleasant duties of hospitality, they
loaded us with injuries, and made us suffer very inhuman treatment. Two
of my comrades were brought into a very pitiable situation. The women
particularly, much more fierce than the men, took delight in tormenting
us. Our masters could not make any great resistance; they appeared; on
the contrary, much better pleased that they should teaze us, than
meddle with the lading of the camels.

While I was at some little distance from mine, I suddenly noticed a man,
who aimed a blow at me with a double-barrelled gun.[22] I presented him
my breast, and desired him to strike. The firmness of my countenance,
with which he had been doubtless little accustomed, astonished him. This
served the more to strengthen my opinion, that one might impose on these
people, by assuming an undaunted appearance. As I approached to this
man, a stone thrown from an unknown hand, but which I supposed to be
that of a woman, struck me on the head. I lost recollection for a
little; but when I recovered, I exclaimed in a very violent rage, and
demanded satisfaction with vehement cries. I found this method very
serviceable in striking terror among these _children_. The savages who
were gathered around us, not knowing the cause of my exclamations, began
to run away. Meantime one of them, before he went off, gave me a blow
with the butt-end of a gun, which made me vomit blood. If I could have
discovered the fellow who struck me, I should certainly have avenged
myself. Reduced to complaining, I did it with such vehemence that I
raised the curiosity of many of the monsters. They inquired of my master
who I was? "He is," answered he, "a very rich Christian, and possessed
of a great quantity of guns, balls, flint-stones and scarlet cloth.[23]
That you may understand, what a man of consequence he is, we had access
to see that he was very richly clothed, and that his linen was perfumed
with a very agreeable odour;[24] and to know, that Prince Allicoury and
all his retinue had paid him a visit."

[Footnote 22: Several years since, some vessels were lost upo