Published July 29.1818. by William Darton Jan Lander.

were ill inclined towards me, and no time was to be lost, the present was the only moment.-To-morrow, I might be led to execution! He shewed me four Moors asleep at the door of my hut, Over these, you must step softly,' said he; if one awakes, your life and mine must pay the forfeit.' I silently did as the friendly Negro directed: we passed the Moors safely, and stopped not until we got beyond the town. I would then have thanked my guide, but he would not hear me. I must hasten, or I may be missed,' said he; only remember, when, in your own country, you see a poor black in distress, to return him this service.' He ran off too quickly for reply, I could only pray that the blessing of God might follow and reward him. I then made haste to reach the desert, that I

*

might hide myself in case of pursuit. The events of the last twentyfour hours appeared to me like a dream; but I had not time for dwelling on reflection. I hurried on, until the heat of noon made me ready to faint. In the hope of seeing some distant hut or village, I climbed a high tree; but, alas! the view only extended over vast thickets of underwood, and hillocks of white sand. Obliged to continue walking, or perish in the desert, I dragged my aching limbs along, until evening, when suddenly a black cloud darkened the sky, and flashes of lightning gave me hopes of rain: rain-which, in my present state, would have been such a relief. Expecting the shower, I opened my mouth, to catch the refreshing drops; but, in an instant, I was covered with a cloud of white

sand, driven with so much force by the wind, as to give no small pain to my face and limbs. The sand continued to fly, in amazing quantities, for about an hour; and I was obliged to sit under the shelter of a bank, to prevent myself being suffocated. After this, however, the lightning again began to flash, and soon I felt the heavy drops on my face. As my clothes wetted, I sucked them, and thus relieved my thirst. Presently I heard the croaking of frogs, which convinced me that water was near: I followed the sound, and came to a pond, where the frogs were so numerous, that it was difficult to perceive the water, and still more difficult to drink. Here I resolved to spend the remainder of the night,-being too much exhausted to proceed; but, fearing I might fall asleep,

in a situation where wild beasts might attack me, I got up into a tree, and, fastening myself by my clothes as well as I could, endeavoured to sleep. In the morning, I awoke much refreshed, and what was my joy, to find the tree I had climbed, a date-tree! My heart swelled with gratitude to the Almighty, for thus furnishing me so unexpectedly with food. After satisfying myself, I filled my pockets with dates, descended the tree, and once more resumed my perilous journey.

"As I went along, I spied a large red lion reposing in a thicket. You may imagine that I was dreadfully afraid; but, probably, he was already glutted, for he suffered me quietly to pass. I soon after arrived at a river, which several blacks were crossing on a curious bridge.