route; our generous
Englishman again taking the task of procuring us provisions. At four
o'clock the sky became overcast, and we heard thunder in the distance.
We all expected a great tempest, which happily did not take
place.--Near seven we reached the spot where we were to wait for Mr.
Carnet, who came to us with a bullock he had purchased. Then quitting
the shore, we went into the interior to seek a place to cook our
supper. We fixed our camp beside a small wood of acacias, near to
which were several wells or cisterns of fresh water. Our ox was
instantly killed, skinned, cut to pieces and distributed. A huge fire
was kindled, and each was occupied in dressing his meal. At this time
I caught a smart fever; notwithstanding I could not help laughing at
seeing every one seated round a large fire holding his piece of beef
on the point of his bayonet, a sabre or some sharp-pointed stick. The
flickering of the flames on the different faces, sun-burned and
covered with long beards, rendered more visible by the darkness of the
night, joined to the noise of the waves and the roaring of ferocious
beasts, which we heard in the distance, presented a spectacle at once
laughable and imposing.

While these thoughts were passing across my mind, sleep overpowered my
senses. Being awakened in the middle of the night, I found my portion
of beef in the shoes which an old sailor had lent me for walking among
the thorns; although it was a little burned and smelt strongly of the
dish in which it was contained, I eat a good part of it, and gave the
rest to my friend the sailor. 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 his nasty hat without any repugnance.

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 out of his
pocket. My father having accepted the proposal, the Moor left his
companion to accompany us as far as Senegal, from which we were yet
two good leagues.

Suddenly we left the shore. Our companions appearing quite transported
with joy, some of us ran forward, and having gained a slight rising
ground, discovered the Senegal at no great distance.

We hast