39S TRAVELS TO DISCOVER
leading nearer and nearer to prefumption, when the place iti'elf where I flood, the object of my vain- glory, fuggefted what depreffed my fhort-lived triumphs. I was but a few minutes arrived at the fources of the Nile, through num- berlefs dangers and fufferings, the leafl of which would have overwhelmed me but for the continual goodnefs and protection of Providence ; I was, however, but then half through my journey ,and all thofe dangers which I had already palled, awaited me again on my return. I found aidefpondency gaining ground fall upon me, and Dialling the crown of laurels I had too rafhly woven for my- felf. I relblved therefore to divert, till I could on more folid reflection overcome its progrefs.
I saw Strates expecting me on the fide of the hill. " Stra- tes, faid I, faithful fquire, come and triumph with your Don Quixote at that ifland of Barataria where we have wife- ly and fortunately brought ourfelves ; come and triumph with me over all the kings of the earth, all their armies, all their philofophers, and all their heroes." — " Sir, fays Strates, I do not underfland a word of what you fay, and as little what you mean.: you very well know I am no fcholar ; but you had much better leave that bog, come into the houfe, and look after Woldo ; I fear he has fomething further to feek than yourfafh, for he has been talking with the old devil- worfhipper ever fmce we arrived." — "Did they fpeak fecretly together, faid I ?" — " Yes, Sir, they did, I allure you." — " And in whifpers, Strates !" — " As for that, replied he, they need not have been at the pains ; they under- Hand one another, I fuppofe, and the devil their mailer un- derllands them both ; but as for me I comprehend their difcourfe no more than if it was Greek, as they Jay. Greek I i fays
