308 HISTORY OF 



fury, that nothing can resist their vehemence. 

 When they have all met in their central spot, 

 then the whirlwind begins with circular rapidity. 

 The sphere every moment widens as it continues 

 to turn, and catches every object that lies within 

 its attraction. This also, like the former, is pre- 

 ceded by a flattering calm ; the air is every-where 

 hushed, and the sea is as smooth as polished 

 glass : however, as its effects are more dreadful 

 than those of the ordinary hurricane, the mariner 

 tries air the power of his skill to avoid it ; which 

 if he fails of doing, there is the greatest danger of 

 his going to the bottom. All along the coasts of 

 Guinea, beginning about two degrees north of 

 the Line, and so downward, lengthwise, for about 

 a thousand miles, and as many broad, the ocean is 

 unnavigable upon account of these tornadoes. In 

 this torrid region there reign unceasing tornadoes, 

 or continual calms ; among which, whatever ship 

 is so unhappy as to fall, is totally deprived of all 

 power of escaping. In this dreadful repose of all 

 the elements the solitary vessel is obliged to con- 

 tinue, without a single breeze to assist the mari- 

 ner's wishes, except those whirlwinds, which only 

 serve to increase his calamity. At present, there- 

 fore, this part of the ocean is totally avoided ; 

 and although there may be much gold along 

 the coasts of that part of Africa to tempt ava- 

 rice, yet there is something much more dreadful 

 than the fabled dragon of antiquity to guard the 

 treasure. As the internal parts of that country 

 are totally unknown to travellers, from their burn- 

 ing sands and extensive deserts, so here we find 



