274 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



man prayed and spoke a few words of advice to the 

 listeners; his delivery was very forcible and earnest. 

 I could but imperfectly understand him, still I felt 

 that what was being said was truth fit for all to 

 listen to, and practise. Twenty stalwart men, with 

 numerous women and children, kneeling upon the 

 ground, addressing their supplications to Heaven, in 

 the middle of the forest, the whole scene illuminated 

 by the fitful blaze of several fires, was as impressive a 

 picture as any one could gaze on. As I viewed it I 

 thought of the Covenanters in days of old, when the 

 peat-moss and the muir-side were the only places where 

 they could offer their adoration to their God without 

 fear of interruption and violence. 



