35^ TRAVELS IN 
thing but the appearance of day can leflen tlic 
dread, and reftore tranquillity to nature. 
The following morning was ftill gloomy : 
the atmofphere was loaded with clouds, and 
the rain redoubled at intervals. Being there- 
fore little difpofed to go abroad, I employed 
myfelf in reviewing my collection of birds, 
which I had recently preferved. As I had a 
fufficient quantity to fill a box, I arranged 
them in one with much care, and daubed it 
over with pitch as ufual, to prevent infefta 
from getting Into it. The number of thofe 
which I then poffeffed, added to thofe I had 
before fent from the country of i\uteniqua, 
already exceeded feven hundred. 
About four in the afternoon the fky be- 
came ferene, and very feafonably revived 
our droopuig fpirits. We refumed there- 
fore our ufual occupations, and I amufcd my- 
felf with making my people fire at a mark, 
which afforded them much entertainment. 
From time to time I took care to grant them 
this indulgence, as it exercifed them ; and I 
remarked, from the commencement of tny 
journey, that their courage increafed in pro- 
portion to their dexterity : but they confidered 
as a great favour what I permitted only with 
a political 
