120 TRAVELS IN 
a large fire, for the purpofe of keeping at a dif- 
tance noxious and deftrudive animals that 
fhun the light. 
I had rcafon to exped that I fliould meet on 
the mountain with a kind of enemy ftill more 
dangerous than thefe animals: I mean thofe 
fugitive flaves who quit their mafters' habita- 
tion to refide among the rocks, and who take 
advantage of the night to plunder the neigh- 
bouring plantations. I had to fear, that fome of 
thefe deferiers might be concealed in my neigh- 
bourhood, and that, favoured by the darknefs, 
they might attempt to furprife or attack me. I 
had, however, taken theneceffary precautions; I 
was too well armed to dread fuch a combat; and 
the vigilance of my three dogs, ftill more than 
my fires, enai Jed me to repole during the whole 
nig 'it in fecurity^ 
The fog became fo moxft that, when day ap- 
peared, I felt myfelf in my tent quite pene- 
trated with cold, notwithftanding a very thick 
cloak which I had wrapped round me, and 
with which I was entirely covered. If fuch 
was my fituation, it may be judged what my 
people muft have fuffered. To recover from 
py numbuefs^ I determined to remove to a 
part 
