INTERIOR OF AFRICA. l^g 
the lightning becoming more distant, I was under the necessity 
of groping along, to the no small danger of my hands and eyes. 
About two o'clock my horse started at something, and looking 
round, I was not a little surprised to see a light at a short dis- 
tance among the trees, and supposing it to be a town, I groped 
along the sand in hopes of finding corn-stalks, cotton, or other 
appearances of cultivation, but found none. As I approached, 
I perceived a number of other lights in different places, and 
began to suspect that I had fallen upon a party of Moors. 
Hovv'ever, in my present situation, I was resolved to see who 
they were, if I could do it with safety. I accordingly led my 
horse cautiously towards the light, and heard by the lowing of 
the cattle, and the clamorous tongues of the herdsmen, that it 
was a watering-place, and most likely belonged to the Moors. 
Delightful as the sound of the human voice was to me, I re- 
solved once more to strike into the woods, and rather run the 
risk of perishing of hunger, than trust myself again in their 
hands; but being still thirsty, and dreading the approach of the 
burning day, I thought it prudent to search for the wells, 
which I expected to find at no great distance. In this pursuit, 
I inadvertently approached so near to one of the tents, as to be 
perceived by a woman, who immediately screamed out. Two 
people came running to her assistance from some of the neigh- 
bouring tents, and passed so very near to me, that I thought I 
was discovered ; and hastened again into the woods. 
About a mile from this place, I heard a loud and confused noise 
somewhere to the right of my course, and in a short time was 
happy to find it was the croaking of frogs, which was heavenly 
Aa 2 
