TRAVELS 1W 
34 
tinually furround and follow ns over the burning 
defart ridges and plains, and here are in fome hopes 
of momentary peace and quietnefs, under cover 
of the cool humid groves, we are furprized and 
quickly inverted with dark clouds of thefe perfe- 
cuting demons, befides mufquitoes and gnats (cu~ 
lex et cynips). 
The next day being in like manner opprefled and 
harraffed by the ftinging flies and heats : we halted 
at noon, being unable longer to fupport ourfelves 
under fuch grievances, even in our prefent fituation 
charming to the fenfes ; on the acclivity of a high 
fwelling ridge planted with open airy groves of the 
fuperb terebinthine Pines, glittering rills playing 
beneath, aud pellucid brooks meandering through 
an expanfive green favanna, their banks orna- 
mented with coppices of blooming aromatic fhrubs 
and plants perfuming the air. The meridian heats 
juft allayed, the fun is veiled in a dark cloud, rifing 
North- Weft ward the air frill, gloomy and fultry ; 
the animal fpirits fink under the conflict, and we 
fall into a kind of mortal torpor rather than re - 
frefhing repofe ; and ftartled or terrified at each 
others plaintive murmurs and groans. Now the 
earth trembles under the peals of inceftant diftant 
thunder, the hurricane comes on roaring, and I 
am fhocked again to life : I raife my head and rub 
open my eyes, pained with gleams and fiafhes of 
lightning ; when juft attempting to wake my af- 
flicted brethren and companions, almoft over- 
whelmed with floods of rain, the dark cloud opens 
over my head, developing a vaft river of the ethe- 
rial fire $ I am inftantly ftruck dumb, inactive and 
benumbed ; at length the pulfe of life begins to 
vibrate, the animal fpirits begin to exert their 
powers, and I am by degrees reyited* 
In 
