VOLCANIC INDiCATIONS. 
151 
March 14th. The country which we traversed being very 
woody, I w^as convinced of the truth of the assertion of a 
modern writer, that at noon the heat is more intense in 
forests than in the open country. The thirst which had tor- 
mented me since the morning, and the heat of the sun, obhged 
me to sit down under a tree to rest myself, but yielding to the 
advice of my guides, I mastered my sufferings, and resumed 
my route. 
The tract through which we travelled, was mountainous 
and woody, and seemed to have been convulsed by fire ; the 
heat was so suffocating in these places, that my Marabout 
asked me if I did not think it might proceed from some 
subterraneous fire. At last, after a long march we arrived at the 
well of a neighbouring village ; it was almost dry, and it was 
only by dint of intreaty, that we obtained a little water from 
the women who were drawing it ; after quenching our thirst, 
we sheltered ourselves from the scorching rays of the sun, at 
a little distance under some trees, whose foliage formed a roof 
impervious to the heat: the verdure which covered the formerly 
inundated soil, seemed to increase the coolness of this spot. 
For two days Maka had suffered severely from the tooth- 
ache ; to men who are fond of repose, it afforded an excellent 
pretext for not proceeding; the fear of stopping on the way 
made me turn dentist : luckily I had not to do with one of 
the sultans, who put to death their medical attendants when 
they fail in their operations. Boukari wished me to use my 
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