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CITERA. 439 



when my health would permit. I suffered 

 much from intermittent fever, which attacked 

 me on the day of my arrival, and returned 

 every five or six days. I used quantities of 

 bark, which ultimately cured me. The first 

 few days I generally dined with Dr. Key, and 

 passed the evening with Mr. Higson ; but the 

 Doctor left for Novita on the 20th ultimo, 

 since which time I boarded in the house where 

 he had lived, procuring there the best ac- 

 commodation the place afforded, which is, 

 however, but very miserable. 



This place is far superior to Novita ; and the 

 climate, though warmer, is much more agree- 

 able. The extremities of the town are com- 

 posed of Indian huts, and a quartel for soldiers. 

 The houses are boarded and wainscotted by 

 flat laths, made of the guadua-tree. They are 

 only one story high, and the floor raised four 

 feet from the ground. This method of build- 

 ing renders the dwellings very insecure from 

 depredation, as the guaduas are easily cut by a 

 sharp knife, and the houses entered and plun- 

 dered; which occurred several times during my 

 stay. The offenders are generally known to be 

 the soldiers of the garrison ; but from the neg- 



