216 DANGEROUS ACCIDENT IN THE MOUNTAINS. 
which bordered it, we should twenty times have fallen down 
tjjs^; precipices, the depth of which we contemplated with 
horror. We at last reached a place so steep, that Boubou took 
my horse by the bridle whilst I remained behind to push him 
forward. The poor animal's strength failed him ; he fell and 
pulled Boubou down along- witli him. I had just time to 
jump aside, otherwise I should have been crushed ; I hastened 
to the assistance of my guide ; the trees which grew on the 
side of the mountain had prevented his falling into the 
frightful abyss on our right. He had not any wound, but 
my horse had received so violent a contusion by falling upoii 
the rocks, that I feared I should not be able to use him 
again ; after great exertion we succeeded in getting him 
upon his legs. Boubou was for some time unable to walk ; 
he was the more hurt by his fall, as his burden of cloths 
had slipped from his head on each side, and bis arms were 
encumbered with two leathern bottles, on which he had more- 
over placed his quiver 
It was near two o'clock when we reached the summit 
of Tangué. It was composed of a reddish earth and of 
ferruginous stones. From this spot, a magnificent spectacle 
presented itself to my view. I could survey the country for 
more than twenty leagues round. The mountains situated at 
the foot of that where I stood, resembled immense plains covered 
with a thick fog. The Tangué mountains are of very great 
elevation, and are crowned by a peak which is frequently 
