174 TRAVELS IN THE 
day, and to protect me from the musketoes in the night ; I 
therefore earnestly begged him to return it, and followed him 
some little way to obtain it; but without paying any atten- 
tion to my request, he and one of his companions rode off 
with their prize. When I attempted to follow them, the third, 
who had remained with me, struck my horse over the head, 
and presenting his musket, told me I should proceed no fur- 
ther. I now perceived that these men had not been sent by any 
authority to apprehend me, but had pursued me solely in the 
view to rob and plunder me. Turning my horse's head there- 
fore once more towards the east, and observing the Moor follow 
the track of his confederates, I congratulated myself on having 
escaped with my life, though in great distress, from such a 
horde of barbarians. 
I was no sooner out of sight of the Moor, than I struck into 
the woods, to prevent being pursued, and kept pushing on, with 
all possible speed, until I found myself near some high rocks, 
which I remembered to have seen in my former route from 
Queira to Deena ; and directing my course a little to the north- 
ward, I fortunately fell in with the path. 
