A F R I C A. 
roots of which were implanted In an enor- 
mous crevice, while one of its branches over- 
fpread the floor of this natural hall. 
The figures and infcriptions confifted only 
of a few caricatures of the elephant and oftrich, 
with the names of three or four travellers who 
had probably flopped here formerly, hke my- 
felf, to refrefh themfelves. 
Though the fountain contained a greater 
abundance of water than I expeded, my un- 
^afmefs was not on that account diminifhed. 
We had ftill to traverfe extenfive plains of fand; 
and every thing announced that I fhould, per- 
haps, not find in them fo much as a fpring to 
cool our thirfl. A ray of hope, however, dif- 
fipated for a moment my fear. In the morn- 
ing, two large clouds which rofe on the horizon, 
and which approached towards us, feemed to 
promife an abundant rain. Meanwhile no- 
thing more fatal could have prefented itfelf to 
our view; for thefe clouds confifted of myriads 
pflocufts, voracious and deftrudtive Infeds, 
brought from afar by the winds. The fight of 
fheni threw my people into the utmoft con- 
flernation, by whom they were confidered as 
the 
