an we in escaping these disagreeable inconveniences, which we suffered
in this part of our journey, where the fiercer animals would not enter.
The rays of the sun darted upon the stones, and I feared, every minute,
that their scorching reflection would have finished me.

We passed through this vast plain into a second, where the winds had
furrowed the sand, which was of a reddish colour, at little distances. A
few sweet smelling plants grew on the top of the furrows, which were
immediately devoured by our camels: they were no less famished than
ourselves. We had the happiness, on quitting this sandy plain, to enter
into a valley surrounded with mountains, where the soil was white and
slimy. At the foot of some tall shrubs, of which the branches were
artfully formed into an arbour, we found some water, of which we stood
in great need. We therefore drank of it with much pleasure, although it
was very bitter, covered with green moss, and of a noxious smell.

We found some compensation however, in the evening, by falling in with a
horde, which was encamped at some leagues distance. They received us
very kindly, and pointed out to us some villages, where they informed us
we could receive all necessary assistance for prosecuting our journey to
the residence of our patrons. This was an event particularly fortunate
for us, as our guides had lost the way.

My master's brother-in-law was one of the chiefs of this village, and
paid particular attention to all the slaves. He gave us some camel's
milk, and flesh of ostriches dried in the sun, and chopped small. I know
not why, but he soon showed a partiality towards me; and accordingly,
coming up to me, he said, "Unfortunate Christian, my brother has been
indebted to me for a long time, if you will put yourself under my care,
I will settle the bargain with him." This proposal made me tremble; it
appeared to assure me of a long captivity. I believed so certainly that
mine was to be short, that I ran immediately to my master, to prevent
his agreeing to his brother-in-law's proposition. I entreated him by no
means to consent to any terms. I made him understand that he would get
more for my ransom, than his brother would give him. "Set yourself at
ease," replied he, "you shall not leave me till you go either to Senegal
or Morocco, and that will be very soon." This hope filled my heart with
inexpressible joy. Meantime, notwithstanding the gratitude which I felt
towards Sidy Sellem, his