138 
To Sanga-Tdnga and Back . 
foaming along our gunwales, drove us forwards 
like the downwards motion of a “ swing-swong,” 
and, before we knew where we were, an ugly 
little bar had been crossed on the top of the curl¬ 
ing scud. We could see the forest on both sides, 
but there was not light enough to trace the river 
line; I told Hotaloya to tumble out; “ Plenty 
shark here, mas’r,” was the only answer. We lost 
nearly half an hour of most valuable time in pot¬ 
tering and groping before all had landed. 
At that moment the rain-clouds burst, and in 
five minutes after the first spatter all were wet to 
the skin. Selim and I stood close together, trying 
to light a match, when a sheet of white fire 
seemed to be let down from the black sky, pass¬ 
ing between us with a simultaneous thundering 
crash and rattle, and a sulphurous smell, as if a 
battery had been discharged. I saw my factotum 
struck down whilst in the act of staggering and 
falling myself; we lay still for a few moments, 
when a mutual inquiry showed that both were 
alive, only a little shaken and stunned; the sen¬ 
sation was simply the shock of an electrical 
machine and the discharge of a Woolwich infant 
—greatly exaggerated. 
We then gave up the par tie; it was useless to 
contend against Jupiter Tonans as well as Plu- 
vialis. I opened my bedding, drank a “ stiffener” 
of raw cognac, wrapped myself well, and at once 
