294 EXCURSIONS AROUND EGA. Chap. IV. 



to find quite pure. These pools are, of course, sometimes 

 fouled for a time by the movements of alligators and 

 other tenants in the fine mud which settles at the 

 bottom, but I never observed a scum of confervas or 

 traces of oil revealing animal decomposition on the 

 surface of these waters, nor was there ever any foul 

 smell perceptible. The whole of this level land, instead 

 of being covered with unwholesome swamps emitting 

 malaria, forms in the dry season (and in the wet also) 

 a most healthy country. How elaborate must be the 

 natural processes of self-purification in these teeming 

 waters ■ 



On our fresh route we were obliged to cut our way 

 through a long belt of bamboo underwood, and not being 

 so careful of my steps as my companions, I trod re- 

 peatedly on the flinty thorns which had fallen from the 

 bushes, finishing by becoming completely lame, one 

 thorn having entered deeply into the sole of my foot. 

 I was obliged to be left behind ; Lino, the Indian, re- 

 maining with me. The careful fellow cleaned my wounds 

 with his saliva, placed pieces of isca (the felt-like sub- 

 stance manufactured by ants) on them to staunch the 

 blood, and bound my feet with tough bast to serve as 

 shoes, which he cut from the bark of a Monguba tree. 

 He went about his work in a very gentle way and 

 with much skill, but was so sparing of speech that I 

 could scarcely get answers to the questions I put to 

 him. When he had done, I was able to limp about 

 pretty nimbly. An Indian when he performs a service 

 of this kind never thinks of a reward. I did not find so 

 much disinterestedness in negro slaves or half-castes. 



