CHAPTER XII. Shipwrecks on the Western Coast o f Africa about Wedinoon and Sahara— State o f the British and other Captives whilst m possession o f the Saharawans, or roving Arabs o f the Desert— Suggestion of the Author fo r the Alleviation o f their Sufferings — Mode of their Redemption. T h a t part of the western coast of Africa, w hich lies between the latitudes of 20 and 32 degrees north, has been differently laid down in various charts, but, perhaps, never yet accurately. The Spaniards, who fish on this coast eastward of the Canary Islands,-assure us that soundings are to be found quite across to the C ontinent; and there is a tradition among the Arabs, that m very remote ages those islands formed part of the African continent. In support of this tradition, it may lie observed, that the aborigines of Lancerotta, one of the Canary islands situated about thirty-five leagues from this coast, resemble in manners, in ph ysiognomy, in person, and in language the Shelluhs, inhabitants o f South Atlas, and retain many of their customs. Th a t part o f the coast, which lies between the above-mentioned latitudes, is a desert country interspersed with immense hills o f loose and moveable sand, which are from time to time driven b y the wind into various forms, and so impregnate the air with particles of sand for many miles out at sea, as to g iv e to the atmosphere a n appearance o f h a zy weather: navigators not aware o f this circumstance, never suspect, during such
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