AFRICA. 
render them already irrefiftible enemies ! Ofteri 
have I rejoiced that the nation was one of the 
pooreft of Africa ; and that, being deftitute of 
every thing, it had nothing to barter by way 
of trade. But for this, fuch of the colonifts 
who follow the occupation of travernng the 
deferts, would perhaps have penetrated as far as 
thefe people ; perhaps would have fupplied 
them with powder and fire-arms, and cer- 
tainly would have inftilled into them the defire 
of procuring them ; and who can tell to what 
this defire would have led! 
Yet thefe formidable people infpired rae 
with more love and efteem than any other 
tribe in Africa. With them I would have un- 
dertaken without fear to traverfe the whole of 
that quarter of the globe, had my good fortune 
permitted me to know them fooner : and if 
ever circumftances allow me to refume the 
projedl:, which it has been fo painful to me to 
relinquifh, they are the only ones that fhall 
be my companions in the enterprife, and to 
them alone will I diredl my fteps without 
delay. 
From the pleafure which it ftill gives me to 
talk of them an idea may be formed of the pain 
I felt 
