178 THE TUSKI PLAGUE. 



or rejoicing ceremonies are to be practised, when in 

 come those horrid drums, and keep one in misery for a 

 couple of hours ; and heartily glad were we ever when, 

 drums and yells hushed, skin walls let down, and 

 lamps extinguished, we were permitted to He down 

 and dream of " marble halls," or more genial regions 

 than those into which we had adventm^ed. 



I have said that the principal reason for disincli- 

 nation to remain in the native huts longer than was 

 dictated by absolute necessity, must imperatively be 

 noticed ; and I now do so with as light a touch as 

 will convey an idea of the absolutely dreadful nature 

 of this objection. 



The persons, clothes, habitations, and even dogs of 

 the Tuski, were covered with vermin, not in a shght 

 degree, but absolutely swarming ; and it is doubtless 

 from this cause that they clip the hair on the head. 

 The first days of our journey brought the horrible 

 conviction that it was hopeless to avoid the plague 

 while in contact with the people. In vain our clothes 

 were changed and washed repeatedly ; in vain we 

 attempted to isolate ourselves as much as possible ; 

 the evil increased each day ; and at last our condition 

 became in supportably tormenting ; those of excitable 

 temperament bemg denied sleep or rest by the 

 constant initation, and reaching a state bordering 



