96 
covered with a very thick and long grass, 
but not a sign of agriculture was to be 
observed. In the course of the day, we 
perceived a few deserted huts, one of 
which we entered. We paid severely for 
our curiosity, as those who ventured in 
were in a moment covered entirely over 
with fleas. 
We sometimes found water ; but it was 
brackish, although we were at least fifty 
miles from the sea. We kept at this dis- 
tance during the most of our journey. 
We brought up for the night, after tra- 
velling about 35 miles, at the skirt of a 
small forest, and provided fuel, with a 
temporary defence, as before. Our pro- 
vision being nearly exhausted, we were 
obliged to eat sparingly, although most of 
us were ravenously hungry. Before we 
went to sleep, I was alarmed to find that 
many of the party complained most vio- 
lently of sore feet. This misfortune, I was 
afraid, would occasion our separation, and 
of course the death of several. 
About seven in the morning, we again 
set out ; but many of my people dropt 
astern in the course of the day, being 
