a voyage to abyssinia-第8节
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Nothing but a signal interposition of Providence could have preserved us from being bitten by them； or perishing either by weariness or thirst； for sometimes we were a long time without water； and had nothing to support our strength in this fatigue but a little honey； and a small piece of cows' flesh dried in the sun。 Thus we travelled on for many days； scarce allowing ourselves any rest； till we came to a channel or hollow worn in the mountains by the winter torrents； here we found some coolness； and good water； a blessing we enjoyed for three days； down this channel all the winter runs a great river which is dried up in the heats； or to speak more properly； hides itself under ground。 We walked along its side； sometimes seven or eight leagues without seeing any water； and then we found it rising out of the ground； at which places we never failed to drink as much as we could； and fill our bottles。
In our march； there fell out an unlucky accident； which； however； did not prove of the bad consequence it might have done。 The master of our camels was an old Mohammedan； who had conceived an opinion that it was an act of merit to do us all the mischief he could； and in pursuance of his notion； made it his chief employment to steal everything he could lay hold on； his piety even transported him so far； that one morning he stole and hid the cords of our tents。 The patriarch who saw him at the work charged him with it； and upon his denial； showed him the end of the cord hanging from under the saddle of one of his camels。 Upon this we went to seize them； but were opposed by him and the rest of the drivers； who set themselves in a posture of opposition with their daggers。 Our soldiers had recourse to their muskets； and four of them putting the mouths of their pieces to the heads of some of the most obstinate and turbulent； struck them with such a terror； that all the clamour was stilled in an instant； none received any hurt but the Moor who had been the occasion of the tumult。 He was knocked down by one of our soldiers； who had cut his throat but that the fathers prevented it： he then restored the cords； and was more tractable ever after。 In all my dealings with the Moors； I have always discovered in them an ill… natured cowardice； which makes them insupportably insolent if you show them the least respect； and easily reduced to reasonable terms when you treat them with a high hand。
After a march of some days we came to an opening between the mountains； the only passage out of Dancali into Abyssinia。 Heaven seems to have made this place on purpose for the repose of weary travellers； who here exchange the tortures of parching thirst； burning sands； and a sultry climate； for the pleasures of shady trees； the refreshment of a clear stream； and the luxury of a cooling breeze。 We arrived at this happy place about noon； and the next day at evening left those fanning winds； and woods flourishing with unfading verdure； for the dismal barrenness of the vast uninhabitable plains； from which Abyssinia is supplied with salt。 These plains are surrounded with high mountains； continually covered with thick clouds which the sun draws from the lakes that are here； from which the water runs down into the plain； and is there congealed into salt。 Nothing can be more curious than to see the channels and aqueducts that nature has formed in this hard rock； so exact and of such admirable contrivance； that they seem to be the work of men。 To this place caravans of Abyssinia are continually resorting； to carry salt into all parts of the empire； which they set a great value upon； and which in their country is of the same use as money。 The superstitious Abyssins imagine that the cavities of the mountains are inhabited by evil spirits which appear in different shapes； calling those that pass by their names as in a familiar acquaintance； who； if they go to them； are never seen afterwards。 This relation was confirmed by the Moorish officer who came with us； who； as he said； had lost a servant in that manner： the man certainly fell into the hands of the Galles； who lurk in those dark retreats； cut the throats of the merchants； and carry off their effects。
The heat making it impossible to travel through this plain in the day…time； we set out in the evening； and in the night lost our way。 It is very dangerous to go through this place； for there are no marks of the right road； but some heaps of salt； which we could not see。 Our camel drivers getting together to consult on this occasion； we suspected they had some ill design in hand； and got ready our weapons； they perceived our apprehensions； and set us at ease by letting us know the reason of their consultation。 Travelling hard all night； we found ourselves next morning past the plain； but the road we were in was not more commodious； the points of the rocks pierced our feet； to increase our perplexities we were alarmed with the approach of an armed troop； which our fear immediately suggested to be the Galles； who chiefly beset these passes of the mountains； we put ourselves on the defensive； and expected them； whom； upon a more exact examination； we found to be only a caravan of merchants come as usual to fetch salt。
Chapter VIII
They lose their way； are in continual apprehensions of the Galles。 They come to Duan； and settle in Abyssinia。
About nine the next morning we came to the end of this toilsome and rugged path； where the way divided into two； yet both led to a well； the only one that was found in our journey。 A Moor with three others took the shortest； without directing us to follow him； so we marched forwards we knew not whither； through woods and over rocks； without sleep or any other refreshment： at noon the next day we discovered that we were near the field of salt。 Our affliction and distress is not to be expressed； we were all fainting with heat and weariness； and two of the patriarch's servants were upon the point of dying for want of water。 None of us had any but a Moor； who could not be prevailed upon to part with it at less than the weight in gold； we got some from him at last； and endeavoured to revive the two servants； while part of us went to look for a guide that might put us in the right way。 The Moors who had arrived at the well； rightly guessing that we were lost； sent one of their company to look for us； whom we heard shouting in the woods； but durst make no answer for fear of the Galles。 At length he found us； and conducted us to the rest； we instantly forgot our past calamities； and had no other care than to recover the patriarch's attendants。 We did not give them a full draught at first； but poured in the water by drops； to moisten their mouths and throats； which were extremely swelled： by this caution they were soon well。 We then fell to eating and drinking； and though we had nothing but our ordinary repast of honey and dried flesh； thought we never had regaled more pleasantly in our lives。
We durst not stay long in this place for fear of the Galles； who lay their ambushes more particularly near this well； by which all caravans must necessarily pass。 Our apprehensions were very much increased by our suspicion of the camel…drivers； who； as we imagined； had advertised the Galles of our arrival。 The fatigue we had already suffered did not prevent our continuing our march all night： at last we entered a plain； where our drivers told us we might expect to be attacked by the Galles； nor was it long before our own eyes convinced us that we were in great danger； for we saw as we went along the dead bodies of a caravan who had been lately massacred； a sight which froze our blood； and filled us with pity and with horror。 The same fate was not far from overtaking us； for a troop of Galles； who were detached in search of us； missed us but an hour or two。 We spent the next night in the mountains； but when we should have set out in the morning； were obliged to a fierce dispute with the old Moor； who had not yet lost his inclination to destroy us； he would have had us taken a road which was full of those people we were so much afraid of： at length finding he could not prevail with us； that we charged the goods upon him as belonging to the Emperor； to whom he should be answerable for the loss of them； he consented； in a sullen way； to go with us。
The desire of getting out of the reach of the Galles made us press forward with great expedition； and； indeed； fear having entirely engrossed our minds； we were perhaps less sensible of all our labours and difficulties； so violent an apprehension of one danger made us look on many others with unconcern； our pains at last found some intermission at the foot of the mountains of Duan； the frontier of Abyssinia； which separates it from the country of the Moors； through which we had travelled。
Here we imagined we might repose securely； a felicity we had long been strangers to。 Here we began to rejoice at the conclusion of our labours； the place was cool and pleasant； the water was excellent； and the birds melodious。 Some of our company went into the wood to divert themselves with hearing the birds and frightening the monkeys； creatures so cunning that they would not stir if a man came unarmed； but would run immediat
