372 TRAVELS IN 
like fo many fpirlts of the damned, and run- 
ning through the flames to collefl: my cattle, 
which could not move a ftep without finking 
into the ground, and occafioning the ifTue of 
frefh flames. 
If extraordinary ideas fuggefl themfclves at 
fuch a moment, it is furely excufable ; parti- 
cularly if a perfon behold, for the firfl: time, 
fo tremendous a phenomenon, and it burft 
on him fuddenly, and with an alarm, la the 
middle of the night. My firil thought was, 
that a volcano had juft opened under our 
feet, and that we were in the very centre ojf 
its crater. 
The fire, however, had not yet reached me^ 
My three waggons were to windward, and by^ 
a lucky accident appeared to be in no danger 
for the moment. Accordingly my people 
called to me to remain quietly where I was^, 
and not be uneafy. Some of them were ac- 
quainted with fuch fires, either from their own 
experience or from hearfay, fo that their heads- 
were not bewildered, and they were capable 
€f giving effedual afliftance where it was ne- 
ceflTary. All the men and women immediately 
laid hold of my waggons, and dragged them 
