68 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. VIII. 



niy search in the morning. Kindling a fire, I 

 formed a thick bush into a pretty secure hut, by 

 cutting away the middle, and closing the entrance 

 with thorns; and having knee-haltered* my horse 

 to prevent his straying, I proceeded to dine upon a 

 Guinea-fowl that I had killed, comforting myself 

 with another draught of aqua ^mra. The monarchs 

 of the forest roared incessantly, and so alarmed my 

 horse, that I was obliged repeatedly to fire my rifle 

 to give him confidence. It was piercingly cold, and 

 all my fuel being expended, I suffered as much from 

 chill as I had during the day from the scorching 

 heat. About 3 o'clock, completely overcome by 

 fatigue, I could keep my eyes open no longer, and 

 commending myself to the protecting care of Pro- 

 vidence, fell into a profound sleep. 



* Knee-haltering is the colonial method of securing a horse 

 when turned out to graze ; a leathern thong attached to the neck, 

 is passed round the knee, and tied. 



