i6 TRAVELS IN 
My invincible diflike to tobacco and brandy^ 
uled both by the planters and the favages, 
added ftill to their aftoni-^.ment. The idea 
of this favourable prepoffeffion, which could 
not efcape me, gave me frefh affurance, and 
eveii an Intrepidity which procured me great 
enjoyments unknown to other trayellers. 
Nothing could ftop me^ I marched forwards, 
and prefented myfelf without uneafinefs ; 
and thus might I have traverfed all the centre 
of Africa, even to Barbary, v/ithout the leaft 
moleftation, had not the earth, as I may fay^ 
rejected my fteps. Thirft and cruel hunger 
will always be infurmountable barriers to 
thofe who may wifli to attempt fo bold and 
hazardous an undertaking. 
My beard, then, was my principal fafe- 
guard;' but it daily rendered me a fervlce 
which was no lefs valuable: on a journey I 
took the precaution, when I wafhed it, to 
fufFer it to imbibe as miuch water as it could 
contain; and, during the heat of the day, this 
was a refrefhment for my face which afforded 
me much comfort and relief. 
After arranging my hair, I dreffed myfelf 
in the moft magnificent manner I could. 
Among my hunting frocks I had one of a 
dark 
