AFRICA. 299 
procure better It was necefiary that we fhould 
fall in with fome arm of the river Sondag. We 
reached it luckily at four in the afternoon. My 
oxen had fuffered fo much from the exceflive 
heat, that they were unable to proceed farther; 
and 1 was afraid that fome of them would die, 
though I had taken the precaution of relieving 
them often. 
On the 4th we quitted the river entirely 5 
^nd proceeded that day only three leagues, as 
the heat was almoft infupportable. My oxen 
had not then quite recovered from the fatigue 
pf the evening before. 
On the 5th we fet out at three in the morn? 
ing ; and at feven we faw another deferted 
plantation. The proprietors, without doubt, 
opprefled by fear, had not taken time to fe- 
cure their eftedts from pillage. On the fight 
pf this abode, v/hich was in a perfcdl ftate, 
and which exhibited no marks of fire, it ap^. 
peared to me that the inhabitants had been 
terrified without any caufe. I had the curiofity 
to enter the houfe, and I found that I was not 
deceived in my opinion ; for I obferved no de- 
rangement in any of the furniture, each utenfil 
being in its proper place. I permitted none 
of my people to touch any thing, of however 
little 
