26 " BAD SNAKES. 



day's work was over, was by first of all having the 

 grass all burned, and then a number of small fires 

 kept burning to windward, enveloping me in a cloud 

 of smoke sufficient to stifle any intruding mosquito, 

 and almost thick enough at certain periods to smother 

 myself. 



Before entering a large tract of marsh, where we 

 were informed we should not find any wood for a 

 couple of days, we stopped at Skianda, for the purpose 

 of providing ourselves with that article. A number 

 of Manganja came down to see us. Many wore 

 English beads, knew "the English," and remem- 

 bered the Pioneer (the little steamer Livingstone 

 had up the rivers). All were armed with bows and 

 arrows, and many carried spears in addition. All the 

 natives carry their bow, and from eight to twelve 

 arrows (three or four of the latter being poisoned) 

 loose in their hands. 



One evening, when burning off the long grass, so as 

 to clear a place for our evening rest, several snakes 

 glided close past me into the water, trying to escape 

 the fire. I killed one small one with my hunting- 

 knife, as he was endeavouring to hide under the sole 

 of my boot. The men said he was a very bad snake, 

 one bite of which was certain death ; and none of them 

 would touch him when dead. Hippopotami and alli- 

 gators are seen every day, but as yet I have not suc- 

 ceeded in getting one. The heat during the day is 

 intense, and there are heavy dews at night. 



