72 TlMEHRI. 
tools, we remained for a whole month, until our resi- 
dence was partially restored for our reception. The 
thermometer being frequently above 90, we were com- 
pelled to remain all night with the windows and doors 
open, which subjected us to the visits of hundreds of bats, 
and myriads of mosquitoes and ants, all peculiar annoy- 
ances in their own way, some stinging, others biting, 
and the bats dabbing your clothes and linen with 
their wings dipped in molasses. The first time I 
occupied this rude lodging, so great had been my 
exertions and consequent fatigue during the day, that I 
slept soundly and without waking ; but on the succeeding 
nights, stung by the mosquitoes, and devoured by the 
ants which crawled in every direction, I frequently started 
from my broken slumbers, drew on my slippers, and 
wrapping my dressing gown around me seated myself at 
the door to catch each passing breeze, or took my usual 
solitary walks amidst the ruins, to observe that no depre- 
dations were committed, and to see that all the fires and 
lights were extinguished. This was the more necessary 
as so many inflammable materials, thatch, dried leaves, 
pieces of wood, lay strewed around in every direction, 
and the negroes are proverbial for their negligence and 
carelessness. Nor was the precaution unnecessary from 
what I observed to occur on other estates. One evening 
as I was seated at the door as .usual, I suddenly perceived 
in the distance a pillar of fire rise up above the horizon, 
rage furiously for about an hour and then subside. I 
wished to proceed to the point of danger, but as the 
night was dark and the roads obstructed with trees and 
I was hesitating what steps to take, feeling always 
anxious to render every assistance in my power, I 
