Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/140

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130
VOYAGE IN SEARCH
[1792.

to a height equal to that of the moſt elevated mountains in the other parts of the globe.

I leave it to natural philoſophers to determine, whether or not the ſinking of the mercury in the barometer proceeded from another cauſe than that which produces the ſame effect, when this inſtrument is carried upon high mountains.

We met a number of chariots drawn by three or four pairs of oxen. They were returning empty to the town, each of them conducted by a Hottentot, who ſtood erect in the carriage, and directed his team with wonderful dexterity, by means of a long whip, which he held in his hand. Though the foremoſt pair of oxen were at a great diſtance from him, he never miſſed any one of them that wanted the lath.

Our Hottentot marched on with his pipe in his mouth, and regaling himſelf from time to time with the Hottentot's fig (meſembrianthemum edule), which grew among the ſands on the road ſide, without ſeeming to think of the horſe entruſted to his care; ſo that our baggage fell off ſeveral times, and would have been left on the road, if we had not appriſed our ſmoker of it, who was walking on without taking any notice of the accident. We found it neceſſary to uſe threats in order to rouſe him from his lethargy, and render him more attentive to his charge.

Several