339 



Hons to the manfions of the wicked ; and by 

 the time thefe fable beings had reached iis^ we 

 had fo powerfully traced the images of the 

 black fpirits below, that it was difficult to per- 

 fuade ourfelves they were only black bodies, 

 bringing us lights from above. 



But the voice of the good Colonel, who 

 had accompanied them, foon roufed us from 

 our reverie, and reminded us that, however 

 difmal our abode, it was not that bourn from 

 whence no travellers return : we now haftened 

 to change our bed of darknefs for brighter re- 

 gions, but were obliged to tread our way 

 in cautious fteps towards the exit of the 

 cave, for the path was intricate and perilous. 

 As we approached the opening we extinguiflied 

 the artificial lights, in order to enjoy the ap- 

 pearance of the foft rays which ftole in at the 

 entrance of the cave, richly gilding the rocks 

 and petrifafhions, and gradually though Irregu- 

 larly increafing until we again met the bright- 

 nefs of day. 



. At our firft efcaping from the cave, the 

 ftrong light of a tropical fun, falling through 

 the widely dilated pupils of our eyes, pro- 

 duced a confiderable degree of pain, we there- 



