390 TRAVELS IN 
malefador, and conceal myfelf at the bottom of 
an enormous chain of mountains named Cloof^ 
which forms the hmits of another countrj 
called Roy e- Sand. 
This mountain, like an immenfe curtain, 
raifed by the hand of misfortune before me, 
feemed placed there to difconcert me llill 
more, and to increafe my uneafmefs. It was 
however neceflary either to overcome this ob- 
ftacle, or to make a very long circuit, the 
extent of which I did not know, nor how 
much time it might require. I was no longer 
animated by that impetuous ardour which I 
had fhewn at my departure ; nor by that in- 
vincible courage which cheriflied in my foul 
the love of novelties, and the impatient defire 
of being the firft to take polTefTion of a country 
fo curious and fo little known. I found myfelf 
in turns flopped by difcouragement, and hur- 
ried forwards by gratitude and friendfliip. 
1 formed therefore my refolution, and deter- 
mined to climb in the beft manner I could to 
the top of the mountain. The fteepnefs of the 
way, and the quagmires which I had to en- 
counter in this paffage, almoft frightened me. 
Yet this is the ufual route of the neighbouring 
planters, who choofe rather to run the rifque 
of 
