CONTINENT OF AFRICA. 
369 
We plucked some red berries from a branch 
engrafted by a bird on a different kind of tree. They 
are filled with a glutinous substance, which is used as 
bird lime, for catching birds. On clearing Vansittart 
Mountains, we entered a desert of sand, which, com- 
mencing at the Great River to the south, runs up 
Africa to the north, no one knows how far. How- 
ever I think it very probable that this desert is the 
same in which Mateere and other Matchappees tra- 
velled about five moons, nearly in one direction, living 
entirely on wild water melons, of which we saw many 
strewed about, which, though of a very nauseous taste, 
may, on an emergency, serve both for food and drink. 
Many a melancholy groan proceeded from the poor 
thirsty oxen, while dragging our waggons through deep 
sand across the desert. What a mercy the wind did 
not rise and bury us in waves of sand ! Many a 
longing look was directed to wards that quarter where 
we expected to find the Great River, but when the 
sun forsook us and went to illumine other lands, there 
was no indication of our approach to water ; nothing 
but parched sand scantily mixed with small tufts of 
withered grass. No beasts nor birds, and but few 
insects, were visible ; the land was forsaken, and no 
doubt it is the desire of every traveller to get out of 
it as fast as possible. In a word, there was nothing 
in it either to please the eye, to gratify the taste, or to 
quench the thirst. Exactly at midnight the cry of 
river! river! relieved us all, and made us at once 
forget our toils. Our oxen having tasted no water 
during two long and toilsome days' journey seemed as 
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