AFRICA; 315 
was a matter of rejoicing to them to have fome 
new order from me to execute, or fomething 
to do on my account ; and thefe groups of 
figures in motion or crowded round me, and 
become fo docile fince the laft commotion of 
the feraglio, formed an amufing pidture. - • 
While they were preparing my fupper, I 
went to take a walk on the bank of the river, 
and difcovered, almoft in its bed, a phenome- 
non, which is fo rare in geology, that a natu- 
ralift, when he meets with it, obferves it with 
attention. This was a brine-fpring, fo ex- 
tremely fait, that it was impoffible to drink one 
drop of it. 
I have vlfited the fait pits of German Lor- 
raine, and thofe of the county of NalTau, and 
tafted their waters, but never found any thing 
equal to this. No doubt, in its fubterranean 
courfe, it pafles over fome bed of rock- fait, 
which it diflblves ; and, in confequence of the 
extreme heat of the climate, it probably takes 
up a great deal ; at leaft, to judge by its tafte, 
it contains a large portion. I would not ven- 
ture, however, to affirm, that this fait is the 
fame with that ufed in our kitchens : nay, from 
its extreme caufticity, I am much inclined to 
doubt 
