AFRICA. 287 
Wings, was thrown out of the line of diredion 
of the fliot, which paffed in a body without 
touching it, while the fire, occupying a larger 
fpace, fcorched the ends of its wings and tail. 
The oxen which I had hired of the horde 
becoming ufelefs to me, as my effects were con- 
fiderably dlminifhed, and I was but a day's 
journey from my camp, I returned them to 
their owners, inviting them to come in a few 
days, when their rejoicings were ended, to ailc 
and receive the reward of their fervices. 
Thefe fervices were certainly fmall, as fias 
been feen above ; and, fo far from congratu- 
lating myfelf on having fuch travelling com- 
panions, I had wifhed a thoufand times to be 
rid of them. But periods arrive when every 
thing is forgotten. Thefe men, whofe cow- 
ardice and indolence had irritated me fo much, 
appeared no longer the fame when they were 
no longer neceffary to me. I faw them with 
other eyes, and framed excufes at my own ex- 
pence for their condud:. 
How, after all, could I exped, that they 
fhould enter into my paffion for a fciencc of 
which they had not the llightefl notion? Tran- 
quil both by conftitution and by habit, un- 
enflaved 
