to refresh us, we at length became almost desperate, when, to our
inexpressible joy, we beheld some mountains at a great distance, and on
our nearer approach observed them covered with a carpet of verdure and
groves and woods. Nothing could appear more romantic or beautiful than
the rocks and precipices intermingled with flowers and shrubs of every
kind, and palm-trees of such a prodigious size as to surpass anything
ever seen in Europe. Fruits of all kinds appeared growing wild in the
utmost abundance, and antelopes and sheep and buffaloes wandered about
the groves and valleys in profusion. The trees resounded with the melody
of birds, and everything displayed a general scene of rural happiness
and joy.



CHAPTER XXVI

_A feast on live bulls and kava--The inhabitants admire the European
adventurers--The Emperor comes to meet the Baron, and pays him great
compliments--The inhabitants of the centre of Africa descended from
the people of the moon proved by an inscription in Africa, and by the
analogy of their language, which is also the same with that of the
ancient Scythians--The Baron is declared sovereign of the interior
of Africa on the decease of the Emperor--He endeavours to abolish the
custom of eating live bulls, which excites much discontent--The advice
of Hilaro Frosticos upon the occasion--The Baron makes a speech to an
Assembly of the states, which only excites greater murmurs--He consults
with Hilaro Frosticos._

Having passed over the nearest mountains we entered a delightful vale,
where we perceived a multitude of persons at a feast of living bulls,