242 
FEVER — ARRIVAL AT AMBACA. 
it was witn difficulty the reflection of the star could be 
seen. When tho trough was placed on a box to prevent 
the moisture entering from below, so much dew was do 
posited on tho outside of the roof that it was soon neces- 
sary, for tho sake of distinct vision, to wipo tho glass. 
This would not have boon of great consequence, but a short 
exposure to this dew was so sure to bring on a fresh fever 
that I was obliged to givo up observation by night alto- 
gether. Tho inside of tho only covering I now had was 
not much better, but undor the blanket one is not so liable 
to tho chill which tho dew produces. 
It would have afforded me pleasure to havo cultivated a 
moro intimate acquaintance with the inhabitants of this 
part of tho country, but the vertigo produced by frequent 
fevers made it as much as I could do to stick on tho ox 
and crawl along in misery. In crossing the Lombe, my 
ox Sinbad, in tho indulgence of his propensity to strike out 
a now path for himself, plunged overhead into a deep hole, 
and so soused me that I was obliged to move on to dry my 
clothing without calling on the Europeans who live on the 
bank. This I regrotted, for all * l 'c Portuguese were very 
kind, and, like the Eoers placed in similar circumstances, 
feel it a slight to bo passed without a word of salutation. 
But wo went on to a spot where orange-trees had boon 
planted by tho natives themselves, and where abundance 
of that refreshing fruit was exposed for sale. 
On entering the district of Ambaca, wo found tho land- 
scape enlivened by the appearance of lofty mountains in 
the distance, tho grass comparatively short, and tho whole 
country at this time looking gay and verdant. Wo crossed 
tho Lucalla by means of a largo canoe kept there by a man 
who farms tho ferry from tho Government and charges, 
about a penny por head. A few miles beyond tho Lucalla 
we camo to tho village of Ambaca, an important placo in 
former times, but now a moro paltry village, beautifully 
situated on a little elevation in a plain surrounded on all 
hands by lofty mountains. It has a jail, and a good house 
