SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 323 
whole caravan. Some time after this dispute M. Rogery, mem- 
ber of the Philanthropic Society of Cape Verd, secretly left 
the caravan, striking into the middle of the Desert, without 
knowing very Avell what he sought. He wished perhaps to 
explore the ancient country of the Numidians and Getulians, 
and to give himself a slave to the great Emperor of Morocco. 
What would it aA^ail to acquire such celebrity ? That intrepid 
traveler had not time to find that after which he searched ; for 
a few days after he was captured by the Moors, and taken to 
Senegal, where the governor paid his ransom. 
About noon hunger was feh so powerfully among us that 
it was agreed upon to go to the small hills of sand, which 
were near the coast, to see if any herbs could be found fit for 
eating ; but we only got poisonous plants, among which were 
various kinds of euphorbium. Convol vu] uses of a bright green 
carpeted the downs ; but on tasting their leaves we found them 
as bitter as gall. The caravan rested in this place, whilst se- 
veral officers went farther into the interior. They came back 
in about an hour, loaded with wild purslain, which they dis- 
tributed to each of us. Every one instantly devoured his bunch 
of herbage without leaving the smallest branch ; but as our 
hunger was far from being satisfied with this small allowance, 
the soldiers and sailors betook themselves to look for more. 
They soon brought back a sufficient quantity, which was equal- 
ly distributed, and devoured upon the spot, so delicious had hun- 
ger made that food to us. For myself, I declared I never ate 
any thing with so much appetite in all my life. Water Ava« 
also found in this place, but it was of an abominable taste. 
After this truly frugal repast we continued our route. The 
heat was insupportable in the last degree. The sands on 
which we trod were burning ; nevertheless, several of us walk- 
ed on these scorching coals without shoes ; and the females 
had nothing but their hair for a cap. When we reached the 
sea-shore we all ran and lay down among the waves. After 
remaining there some time, we took our route along the west 
beach. On our journey we met with several large crabs, which 
were of considerable service to us. Every now and then we 
endeavored to slake our thirst by sucking their crooked claws. 
About nine at night we halted between two pretty high sand 
hills. After a short talk concerning our misfortunes, all seem- 
ed desirous of passing the night in this place, notwithstanding 
we heard on every side the roaring of leopards. We delibe- 
rated on the means of securing ourselves, but sleep soon put 
an end to our fears. Scarcely had we slumbered a few hours 
