258 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1 819 , listening attentively it was again heard. It was 
Aug. 5. our firm opinion that we had landed in 
the vicinity of another tribe, who, upon seeing 
our fire had alarmed their companions. 
The musquets were therefore placed in readi- 
ness, and a watch set to give our party warning 
if they approached. In the middle of the night 
the noise was again heard, but, upon being re- 
peated several times, it was discovered that we 
had been deceived by the screams of a bird, 
whose note exactly resembled the human cry. 
Our fears of being attacked by the natives being 
now dispelled, our party composed themselves 
again to rest, but without obtaining any sleep, 
in consequence of the immense swarms of mos- 
quitoes, which buzzing about in incredible num- 
bers were not to be kept from stinging us by 
any measures we could devise. The tent was 
very soon deserted, and many other places were 
tried in vain ; the only method at all successful, 
by which some respite was obtained, was by 
lying upon the ground within, two feet of the 
blaze of the fire ; the heat and smoke of which, 
with the danger of our clothes catching fire, were 
insignificant inconveniences compared with the 
mosquitoes’ stings ; and those only who placed 
themselves in this situation, obtained a few hours 
sleep. At daylight, begrimed with dirt and 
6 . 
