13^ TRAVELS IN 
they b(^came the fubjefl: of univerfal ridicule j; 
and it was faid, that they had refufed to ac- 
company ine, becaufe they were afraid to wet 
or fpoil their fandals. 
Before I thought of departing, I took care 
to get from them fuch information as they were 
able to give me refpeding the route I ought 
to purfue. They told me that, after march- 
ing a day or two towards the north, I fhould 
find a vaft plain terminated on the eaft by ^ 
chain of mountains ; that I muft crofs this 
plain ; and that among the rocks of the moun- 
tains I fhould find the eftablifliment of the 
Houzouanas of whom they had fpoken. 
Agreeably to thefe inftrucflions I proceeded 
towards the eaft; and we halted about noon on 
fhe borders of a fait lake, in which we found 
a cryftallized fheet of fait. It had probably 
been formed and had floated at the furface ; 
but the ftorm, a few days before,, had carried 
thither fo much rain, that it was now deprefled, 
and fituated between the two waters. 
White my people were fitting on the bank 
of this lake, getting ready for dinner, they ob- 
ferved four men, at a diftance, croffing the 
plain. At this fight they were almoft petrified 
with 
