$\4 TRAVELS IN 
we could not difcover a fingle one, though 
during the night we had heard numbers on 
the wing ; and many, deceived or blinded by 
the light of the fire^had rufhed into the flames, 
or perilhed in the fmoke. Thofe confuming 
fires, which I have often fpread over vaft 
plains 5 thofe forefts burnt by me to open 
a road for my caravan, or to keep ofFbeafts of 
prey; that deftrudlve pow.r with which I 
furrounded myfelf at will, while attended only 
by a handful of men, with a few infignificant 
v/eapcns, and the fcanty equipage of a free-. 
booter; frequently turned my mind to a re- 
trofpedive view of times paft, and prefented 
to it the hiftory of robbers far more famous, 
far more illuftrious, more highly honoured, 
and much more imperious, ambitious of fway, 
infoleot in the exercife of their wills, and wan- 
tonly capricious ; and I w^as aftonifhed that, 
amid the ferment of paffions which agitate 
the minds of men, v^e did not morq frequently 
fee whole towns given up to the flames, with 
their inliabltants, thei;- wealth, and their arts ; 
and great poets, after thefe grand fpedacleSj^ 
exalting into herpes the madmen who had per- 
petated thefe ads for their amufement, and. 
holding- 
