again on the road with the whole caravan. Some time after
this dispute, M. Rogery, member of the Philanthropic Society of Cape
Verd, secretly left the caravan, striking into the middle of the Desert,
without knowing very well 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 avail to acquire
such celebrity? That intrepid traveller 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 felt 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. Convolvuluses 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 several
officers went farther into the interior. They came back in about an
hour, loaded with wild purslain, which they distributed 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
equally distributed, and devoured upon the spot, so delicious had hunger
made that food to us. For myself, I declare I never eat any thing with
so much appetite in all my life. Water was 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 trode were burning, nevertheless several of us walked
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 wet beach. On our journey we met with several large crabs,
which were of considerable service to us. Every now and then we
endeavoured 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 seemed desirous of passing
the night in thi