THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 403 
Here is an example of a beatt (a young one too) poffeffing 
abftracted fentiments to a very high degree. By its flight on 
the firft appearance of the hunters, it is plainit apprehended 
danger to itfelf, it alfo reflected upon that of-its mother, 
which was the caufe of its return to her affiftance. ‘Ihis 
affection or duty, or let us call it any thing we pleafe, ex- 
cept inftinct, was ftronger than the fear of danger; and it 
mut have conquered that fear by reflection before it re- 
turned, when it refolved to make its bef and laft efforts, 
for it never attempted to fly afterwards.’ I freely forgive 
that part of my readers, who know me and themfelves fo 
little, as to think I believe it worth my while to play the 
mountebank, for the great honour of diverting them; an 
honour.far from being of the firft rate in my efteem. If 
they fhould thew, in this place, a degree of doubt, thar, 
-foronce, lam making ufe of the privilege of travellers, and 
dealing a little in the marvellous, it would be much more 
to the credit of their difcernment, than their prodigious 
fcruples about the reality of poflibility of eating raw fleth; 
a thing that has been recorded by the united teftimony of 
all that ever vifited Abyflinia for thefe two hundred years, 
has nothing unreafonable in irfelf, though contrary to our 
practice in other cafes; and can only be called in queftion 
now, through weaknefs, ignorance, or an intemperate de= 
fire to find fault, by thofe that believed. that a man could 
get into a quart bottle, 
Wuar I relate of the young elephant contains difficulties 
of another kind; though Iam very well perfuaded. fome 
will fwallow it eafily, who cannot digeft the raw flefh. Ia 
both inftances I adhere ftridtly to the truth; and I beg leave 
to affure thofe fcrupulous readers, that if they knew their 
| ; author,. 
ee 
