AFRICA. 239 
and audrefs to make the oxen approach, and 
to yoke them to the chain. They fnorted 
violently, turned away their noftrils, and llart- 
ed back with horror. By ftratagem, however, 
we were able to bring them back ; and they 
were yoked to the four heads, which they 
dragged to my tent, acrofs fands, dufi:, and 
bufhes ftained with their blood : a horrid 
fpeftacle without doubt, but ftill neceflary; as 
the roads were fo bad that a waggon could 
never have been conduced to the fpot. But 
the cafe was ftill worfe, w^hen, being defirous 
of returning to the elephants, near v/hich I had 
left a part of my people, I could not make my 
horfe pafs thofe places which were tinged 
with their blood. I was obliged to take another 
route ; and when we arrived near the ele- 
phants, as foon as he faw and fmelled them, 
he capered and kicked in fo violent a man- 
ner, that he tlirev/ me ; and making off full 
fpeed, by a very long compafs returned to the 
camp. 
I am again about to touch upon one of 
thofe moments which do not twice occur in 
life. With what fenfations is my foul agitated ! 
I fhall curfe pleafure, and all its inventions* 
One mud be a different being to combine fo 
many 
