174 TRAVELS IN THE 
the night ; I therefore earnestly begged him to return it, and 
followed him some little way to obtain it ; but without paying 
any attention 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 
further. 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 
therefore 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 
Oueira to Deena ; and directing my course a little to the north- 
ward, I fortunately fell in with the path. 
