THE FORE-SLAGHT. 239 



captivity, but have always failed ; the reason, no 

 doubt, being that when immured in a cage they 

 are unable to procure their proper food, viz., insects. 



That the little honey guide will lead you to the 

 nests of bees, is beyond dispute, and that it will wait 

 for a portion of the spoil to be given it, is equally true ; 

 but the natives assert that it is a mischievous little 

 ^lf, and that reliance is not always to be placed 

 upon the honesty of its solicitations, for that 

 frequently, out of very devilment, it will take its 

 followers into the jaws of a lion, or possibly into the 

 haunt of some formidable poisonous snake. This 

 I deem an error ; at the same time do not doubt 

 that when human beings have been following it to 

 procure the honey it wished to point out to them, 

 they have run in contact with a beast of prey, or 

 nearly stepped upon a venomous serpent. 



Our halting-place that day was a beautiful grove. 

 The giant among the trees that composed it was 

 a large banyan, under which we drew up our wagons, 

 alike sheltered from heat and glare. While the cattle 

 and horses are grazing, come, gentle reader, and seat 

 yourself beside me upon the disscl-boom of the wagon, 

 for I have to prepare a new fore-slaght (lash) for my 



