THE CARAVAN AT EVENING PRAYER. 1.97 
March 25. The sun had risen long before we set out ; 
consequently the heat was almost insupportable. We halted 
by a brook, which watered an immense meadow ; the current 
was tranquil. On its surface we observed water-lilies in 
blossom, the dazzling white of which was distinguishable at a 
distance. 
All my companions dispersed in the woods, some to seek 
honey, which they afterwards offered me : others to gather 
rushes, for making baskets. After a short rest, we continued 
our route ; the paths in many places were almost impassable, 
on account of the large holes which had been made by the 
elephants' feet. I measured one of these holes, and found it 
three feet in circumference. The traces of these animal led 
me to suppose that they must be very numerous. 
Our caravan presented a very striking spectacle at sun-set, 
when my companions fell upon their knees to adore the 
Almighty. The hymns of these pious men, which suddenly 
broke the silence of the vast solitudes, filled my soul with a 
religious awe. This simple and affecting homage, offered to 
the Creator of the world in the heart of a desert, could not 
but produce such an effect on me, although my belief was 
not the same as that of the Negroes. I blushed on finding 
myself standing alone, in the midst of this troop of men on 
their knees, thanking God for having protected them thus 
far on their journey. When the prayer was finished, one of 
them approached me, and asked me if I never prayed. I 
