CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE. 215 



them rain, and the latter Avithdraws it; however, they invoke 

 their favour in the dry season, but it does not seem that 

 they consider them as in any other manner influencing 

 human atfairs ; nor do they offer them any kind of worship. 

 Their ideas of a future state seem not to admit of any 

 retribution for their conduct in this world ; good and bad 

 going equally after death to the sky, where they enjoy a sort 

 of Mahommedan paradise. 



Sept. 9th. In the morning some rain. Set off at eight, 

 A.M. through a country more fertile, and having more land 

 prepared for cultivation. The manner of preparing it is 

 first by cutting down the long reedy grass, and placing it 

 in small heaps, which are then covered with a layer of 

 mold, and then set fire to ; in the little spots of ashes thus 

 formed, the Indian corn and peas are planted, and the 

 manioc in the unmanured places between them ; these 

 ashes are the only kind of manure made use of. They 

 never burn down the long reedy grass until it has shed 

 its seed, so that the next rains bring a stronger crop 

 than before. ------ very soon blossomed, as well 



as the long reed grass twelve feet high, and the thorny 

 sensitive plant. 



Passed some fine lime-stone springs, the first we had 

 seen. 



