HALT IN THE WOODS. 
289 
the forest^ always make it resound with numerous discharges 
of musquetry. 
When the rain was over we contrived to light a fire, 
though not without some trouble ; one of my companions 
tore off a bit of his pagne, laid powder upon it, and then 
putting it under the lock of his gun, contrived to set fire to 
it. We cut off a few branches of trees, to make a sort of hut 
to shelter us for the rest of the night ; the rain had no sooner 
ceased, than we were beset by swarms of mosquitoes, which 
gave us no rest. Two of our companions, armed with 
poniards and lances, went in search of water, with a 
vessel which we had brought for that purpose ; when our fire 
was lighted, we cooked upon the embers four yams and a few 
pistachios for supper, and, after this frugal repast, we 
stretched ourselves on wet leaves round the fire. As nearly 
as I can calculate, we had then travelled twelve miles from 
Sofino, in an easterly direction, over a good, but rather 
gravelly soil. The rain prevented me from using my sandals, 
and I was forced to walk barefoot over the gravel which 
gave me great pain. While I was lying by the fire, I could 
not help reflecting upon the suffering and fatigues I should 
have to endure, if I continued my journey during the season 
when the rain is perpetual; I thought also of the danger 
there would have been in venturing through these woods 
with no companion but Lamfia, who had proposed that I 
should do so, and would very likely have plundered me 
without mercy. I had time, in the silence of this vast 
wilderness, to indulge my melancholy reflexions, which were 
interrupted only by the notes of some night birds, and by 
the croaking of frogs. This was a dreadful night; I got 
no sleep, and I thought that it would never be morning. 
On the 17th of July, day-light at last appeared, dissi- 
pating the vapours of the atmosphere, and reviving all 
nature. We ate some of the roasted yams, which we had 
VOL. I. u 
