TRAVELS IN 
again : but while I have a fpark of life re^** 
" maining in my body, 1 lliall never forget 
" you, or ceafe to blefs your name. I was 
^' going to expofe myfelf to perilh with hun- 
" ger and defpair, and you have flopped me 
on the border of the gulph. I was without 
" refource, and you have rendered me happy. 
Blefled be the day on which I met with 
" you ! Every year I will repair to this place 
" with my family, to celebrate it on the banks 
" of this very river, to pour out my vows for 
" you, and recall to my remembrance fo im- 
" portant a benefit." 
While in Africa, I gave to the brook by 
w^hich I was encamped when the planter of 
whom I have been fpeaking met with me the 
name of Riviere de la Rencontre (river of our 
meeting): but, after my arrival in Europe, I 
changed it to. that of Laborde, who took fuch 
extraordinary care in finifliing the map of my 
travels, as a flight teftimony of gratitude, which 
I addreHed to this friend at the very jundure 
when hordes of civilized robbers murdered him, 
amidfi: the heap of vidims facrificed to the vileft 
of mankind by the mofl; cowardly of men. 
While the oxen of my new acquaintance 
were 
