TO THE PASSAGE OF MOUNT H^MUS. 217 
delight did we welcome their coming to their own chap. 
little cottage, and set before them such food as . ' . 
we had brought with us! For a moment, glad- 
ness got the better of their despair, and they 
began to chatter with our attendants; having- 
found, in the midst of their wretchedness, that 
even strangers could act as friends. They said 
that the rest of the villagers were afar off in the 
mountains, whither some of them had succeeded 
in removing their cattle at the first intelligence 
of the coming of the robbers ; and cautioned us 
to be upon our guard, and to keep together 
during the route ; as it was certain that all our 
motions were watched, and that we were then 
surrounded by hovering hordes, who were only 
prevented by fear from attacking the Embassy. 
We were employed the whole of April 8, in 
climbing hills, and in penetrating woods, which 
consisted of small and stunted trees. We saw 
pelicans lying dead in the road, and were unable 
to explain the cause. In every village that we 
passed through, we observed storks building 
their nests, without being molested by the inha- 
bitants. The strange noise they make in wooingi 
resembles the kind of alarum called a cJacky 
used in cherry-orchards to drive away birds. 
A small and drizzling rain, the usual characte- 
