%io T R AV ELS IN 
fhould find the beginning of a paflage, where 
my unfortunate oxen might be able to keep 
their feet. In vain did I traverfe, run, and 
fearch every where around ; for nothing ap- 
peared to my view but peaked rocks, to 
whatever quarter I turned. Without know- 
ing it, we had entangled ourfelves in a kind 
of hollow valley, without any opening, from 
which we could not get out but by re- 
turning the fame way we had come. This 
method through neceffity we were obliged to 
purfue ; and we again found ourfelves at the 
wood of Poort, from which we had departed 
a month before. 
Such is the happy inftability of the human 
mind, that little is fometimes wanting to re- 
ftore it to its former tranquillity. This fpot, 
to which I returned with the utmoft regret, 
and which before feemed fo barren and difmal, 
all of a fiidden refumed a new and fmiling 
appearance. Having obferved, as I walked 
along, th,e traces of a flock of elephants, which 
muft have paffed there the fame day, nothing 
more wa^ requifite to baniih all my chagrin, 
and to confole me for the delay I had experi- 
enced in my route ; we therefore ereded our 
tents in that place, 
. I Ainong 
