AFRICA. 87 
a very broad rock. The Inhabitants of the 
town fometimes walk as far as this fall ; and, 
though the way is extremely rugged, even 
the ladies indulge themfelves with a fight of 
this charming , and pi£turefque fcene, from a 
delightful point of view which begins in this 
fpot. 
It is very remarkable, that, In the warmeft 
countries, the flavea kindle fires, in every 
place where they are at work, which ferve to 
light *lheir pipes, and to warm or cook their 
victuals. Thofe of the Cape, who are fent to 
cut wood for the ufe of their matters' families, 
go in fearch of it fometimes to the back of the 
Table Mountain. In the evening, when they 
quit their labour. If they negledl to extinguifli 
thefe fires, they infenfibly communicate them- 
felves to the dry grafs and roots in the neigh- 
bourhood. The flames then fpread rapidly 
on every fide, and foon reach deep valleys, 
where all the wood, both dry and green, 
without diftindion, blazes forth with amaz- 
ing fury ; having the appearance of fo many 
fmall volcanos, connedled together by firings 
of fire. The flames rife in clouds of different 
fhades, according as the caverns have a greater 
G 4 oi' 
