rn and
running with blood. "Recollect," said I, in my bad language, "how, when
we were shipwrecked, you cried out, beholding my hands, _these hands
have never been accustomed to hard labour_; and immediately you engage
me in the most painful employment. Your countrymen experience in my
country a very different treatment." He seemed astonished to learn that
the Moors ever came to France. "We shall talk of this another time,"
replied he; "in the mean time, make yourself easy. I will take care of
you as my own son." Then, addressing himself to his wife, "I forbid you
to exact from him the least service which may be painful to him, and I
at same time prohibit him from obeying you in it. See that some meal be
boiled for the slaves; I will return ere long to see if my orders have
been executed." From this hour the favourite vowed implacable hatred
against me.

Meantime, the month of August drew towards a close, and no preparations
were making for our journey. I therefore inquired at Sidy Mahammet, when
he proposed to conduct me to Senegal. He told me, that he was in search
of two very strong and vigorous camels, that could endure the fatigues
of this journey, and that we would set out when he could procure them. I
entreated he would make as little delay as possible, as the nights were
now turning cool. The dews began also to be so heavy, as to wet us, in
our retreat behind the bushes, where we spent the night. It is true,
that even the dew proved serviceable in one case, as, by gathering it in
handfuls upon our naked bodies, it served to quench our thirst, which
the coldness of the night did not extinguish; and we preferred this
drink to our urine, a resource to which we were often reduced. I spoke a
second time to our master on the subject of our journey, who answered me
in such a manner as convinced me it was not from want of inclination he
delayed. "Think you," said he, "that amidst such excessive heat, we can
possibly travel without a store of provisions, especially water? We have
much cause to fear, that, on our approaching Senegal, the river which
surrounds it will have overflowed the plains; we will also be in danger
from the Arabs, of the tribe of Trargea, who are our enemies. I tell you
the truth," continued he, "we will be obliged to wait till the month of
October; about that time, the rains will water the deserts, and afford
us pasturage for our camels; it will be impossible for us otherwise to
subsist during so lo