286 
Effects of a Savannah Eike. 
east, the Eupununi again at peace, reflected on its unruffled surface the 
columns of flame that, like a whirlwind, were rushing on to its banks. We 
continued watching this wild dash in dumb astonishment long after it 
had passed until finally it was completely lost to sight. 
810. The broad savannah stared black and dreary at us next morning. 
A black pall was spread over the yellow-green carpet that up to yester- 
day was so pleasant and full of life, and the partially burnt leafless limbs 
of the riverside and savannah trees towered gloomily into the heated 
atmosphere, while huge whirlwinds were everywhere building right up 
to the skies dark columns of dust and ashes out of which innumerable 
charred half-burnt leaves and leaf stalks were slung in extensive spirals. 
Hundreds of hoarsely-croaking birds of prey circled around the gloomy 
flats to tear in pieces the mammals and amphibians that had perished in 
the flames. The black shroud even clothed the cheerless mountains in 
the distance. It was only the fronds of the beautiful groups of Mauritia 
flexuosa that continued to make a show of their full flush of life, because 
owing to the height of the trunks they had remained beyond reach of the 
conflagration. The edges of some of the oases also appeared black, and 
whirling columns of smoke yet. rose up out of many, the fire having 
probably found lasting nourishment in a fallen tree, while far on the 
horizon, away out in the infinite distance, the dark pillars, continuing to 
ascend, showed that it was still pursuing its devastating course. 
811. Should the traveller return to the scene of desolation after a 
fortnight’s absence he looks around in surprise and searches everywhere 
for some mark or sign to make sure that he is not dreaming, whether it 
is really the same flat before him, or if wizardry is not making sport of 
him. The pall has disappeared, the sombre shroud of sorrow has 
changed into the gay green garment of life, of a European May. Never 
idling nor reposing, Nature has clothed trees, bushes, and savannah in 
an infinitely fresher and more vivid costume than that which the flames 
destroyed. Owing to the inconceivable rapidity with which it strides 
along, the column of fire only destroys the foliage, only the blades of 
reed and grass, but not the tree, nor the grass-roots. Within 
a few days the young green germinates, buds, and forces itself 
out from under its gloomy covering almost as quickly as it was 
destroyed, and soon blots out the last traces of the devouring element. 
812. In the course of the forenoon a number of Macusis from the 
environs had come to Haiowa, partly, it is true, out of curiosity, and partly 
to offer us articles for exchange. We soon got on to the best terms with 
them, although one must be careful to avoid direct contact, because each 
one leaves his mark like the miller does with his working-day jacket, 
except that here it is red, because this tribe loves the paint really to 
excess. The men smear their short cropped hair full with it, in the same 
way that the most sweet-scented dandy does his with pomade. On top 
of the forehead there is generally a regular clump of it to which is 
attached the white down of the hokko-hen. The mother also regularly 
rubs it into her little children’s heads for these are assured just as much 
against sickness as against the power of evil spirits, who dare not venture 
near such a Redhead. Just as the Negro, for another reason, is recog- 
