568 WET CLOTHES AND FEYEK. Chap. XXVII. 



heavily, but, as this had been the case every afternoon, and 

 no rain had followed, we erected no shelter, but during this 

 night a pouring rain came on. When very tired a man feels 

 determined to sleep in spite of everything, and the sound of 

 dixvpping water is said to be conducive to slumber, but that 

 does not refer to an African storm. If, when half asleep in 

 spite of a heavy shower on the back of the head, he uncon- 

 sciously turns on Iris side, the drops from the branches make 

 such capital shots into his ear, that the brain rings again. 



We were off next morning, the 1st of November, as soon 

 as the day dawned. In walking about seven miles to the 

 ship, our clothes were thoroughly dried by the hot sun, and 

 an attack of fever followed. We relate this little incident 

 to point out the almost certain consequence of getting wet 

 in this climate, and allowing the clothes to dry on the person. 

 Even if we walk in the mornings when the dew is on the 

 grass, and only get our feet and legs wet, a very uneasy 

 feeling and partial fever with pains in the limbs ensue, and 

 continue till the march onwards bathes them in perspiration. 

 Had Bishop Mackenzie been aware of this, which, before 

 experience alone had taught us, entailed many a severe 

 lesson, we know no earthly reason why his valuable life might 

 not have been spared. The difference between getting the 

 clothes soaked in England and in Africa is this : in the cold 

 climate the patient is compelled, or, at any rate, warned, by 

 discomfort to resort at once to a change of raiment ; while 

 in Africa it is cooling and rather pleasant to allow the clothes 

 to dry on the person. A Missionary in proportion as he 

 possesses an athletic frame, hardened by manly exercises, in 

 addition to his other qualifications, will excel him who is not 

 favoured with such bodily endowments ; but in a hot climate 

 efficiency mainly depends on husbanding the resources. He 

 must never forget that, in the tropics, he is an exotic plant. 



