444 EETUEN TO THE PIONEER. Chap. XXI. 



the approaching flames. Dark dense volumes of impene- 

 trable smoke now roll over on the lee side of the islet, and 

 shroud the hunters. At times vast sheets of lurid flames 

 bursting forth, roaring, crackling and exploding, leap wildly 

 far above the tall reeds. Out rush the terrified animals, and 

 amid the smoke are seen the excited hunters dancing about 

 with frantic gesticulations, and hurling stick, spear, and 

 arrow at their burned out victims. Kites hover over the 

 smoke, ready to pounce on the mantis and locusts as they 

 spring from the fire. Small crows and hundreds of swallows 

 are on eager wing, darting into the smoke and out again, 

 seizing fugitive flies. Scores of insects, in their haste to 

 escape from the fire, jump into the river, and the active fish 

 enjoy a rare feast. 



We returned to the Pioneer on the 9th of October, having 

 been away one month. The ship's company had used distilled 

 water, a condenser having been sent out from England ; and 

 there had not been a single case of sickness on board since 

 we left, though there were so many cases of fever the few 

 days she lay in the same spot last year. Our boat party 

 drank the water of the river, and the three white sailors, who 

 had never been in an African river before, had some slight 

 attacks of fever. 



