ALLIGATOR—MIRAGE. 193 
bouring pool, of which they contrived to drink by 
using a linen cloth as a filter. When the mules 
were unloaded, they were set at liberty to go and 
search for water, and the strangers following them 
came upon a copious reservoir surrounded with 
palm-trees. Covered with dust and scorched by 
the sandy wind of the desert, they plunged into the 
pool, but had scarcely begun to enjoy its coolness 
when the noise of an alligator floundering in the mud 
induced them to make a precipitate retreat. Night 
coming on, they wandered about in search of the farm 
without succeeding in finding it, and at length re- 
solved to seat themselves under a palm-tree, in a dry 
spot surrounded by short grass, when an Indian, who 
had been on his round collecting the cattle, coming 
up on horseback, was persuaded, though not without 
difficulty, to guide them to the house. At two in the 
morning they set off, with the view of reaching Cala- 
boze before noon. -The aspect of the country continued 
tne same. ‘vere was no moonlight, but the great 
‘asses 0° no ule illumined part of the terrestrial 
jor zon as ticy set out. As the sun ascended, the 
phenomena of mirage presented themselves in all 
their modifications. The little currents of air that 
passed along the ground had so variable a tem- 
perature, that in a herd of wild cows some appeared 
with their legs raised from the surface, while others 
rested upon it. The objects were generally sus- 
pended, but no inversion was observed. At sunrise 
the plains assumed a more animated appearance ; 
the horses, mules, and oxen, which graze on them 
in a state of freedom, after having reposed during 
the night beneath the palms, now assembled, in 
crowds. As the travellers approached Calabozo, they 
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