24^ .NARRATIVE OFAN. 



CHAP, every thing was in the mofl unaccountable hurry anJ 

 confufion. In this way, however, we proceeded, keeping, 

 our courfe toward the mouth of the Cormoetibo Greeks 

 each officer provided with a pocket compafs, by whicli 

 we were to fteer, hke failors, through a dark wood, where 

 nothing is to be feen but the heavens, as at fea nothing; 

 appears but clouds and water : thus thofe who were ac- 

 quainted with navigation were the beft qualified for 

 marching, and ran the leaft hazard of lofing themfelves- 

 in a black unbounded foreft. But thofe wretches who- 

 moft defervedly attracted my pity, were the milerable ne- 

 gro ilaves, who were bending under their loads ; whofe 

 heads, on which they carry all burthens, bore the baldl 

 marks of their fervitude ; — they were driven forward like 

 oxen, and condemned to fubfift on half allowance, while- 

 they performed double drudgery. In fhort, to increafe 

 our misfortune, though in the dry feafon, the rains began: 

 to pour down from the heavens like a torrent, continuing; 

 all night : during this deluge (according to Colonel Four- 

 geoud's order) we were all ordered to encamp without 

 huts or other covering of any kind, flinging our ham- 

 mocks between two trees, under which, upon two fmalli 

 forked fticks, were placed our fire-arms, as the only mer 

 thod of keeping the priming-powder dry in the pan 

 above this piece of architecture did I hang, like Mahomet 

 betwixt the two loadltones, with my fabre and piftols in; 

 my bofom, and, in fpite of wind and weather, fell moft 

 profoundly afleep. 



On the 14th, at five o'clock in the morning, I was 

 8. awaked/ 



