AFRICA. Vx ipi 
would effedt more with him than any rheto^ 
rical figures I could employ. 
I had with me two bottles of genuine French 
brandy, one t f which I ordered to be produced j 
and I filled a few bumpers to put him in gi -od 
humour. When his features began to dilate, 
I renewed my propofal. It was not now re* 
fufed as before ; though it was ftill received 
with coolnefs. This commencement of aflent 
I endeavoured to increafe by a few additional 
bumpers ; and in the intervals I reprefented to 
him, with all the energy of which I was mafter, 
the diftrefled fituation in which I was placed, 
and the important fervice he would render me 
if he gave his affiftance in extricating me from 
it. I even went fo far as to offer him his own 
terms ; which was in reality fufFering him to 
put his hand into my pocket and take what he 
pleafed : but to this I was driven by neceflity ; 
and he at length confented to fell me four- 
teen oxen fpr a hundred and forty rixdollara 
[about 25I.]. 
The cold had k^pt me awake the preceding 
night, and did not fiifFer me to fieep during 
^he whole of this alfo, fo that I was obliged 
H 3 tq 
