ound to the level of the head. It stands against the tree propped up
by the poles at that level. The carrier frequently plants the poles on
the ground, and stands holding the burden until he has taken breath,
thus avoiding the trouble of placing the burden on the ground and
lifting it up again.

When a company of these carriers, or our own party, arrives at one of
these sleeping-places, immediate possession is taken of the sheds.
Those who come late, and find all occupied, must then erect others for
themselves; but this is not difficult, for there is no lack of long
grass. No sooner do any strangers appear at the spot, than the women
may be seen emerging from their villages bearing baskets of manioc-meal,
roots, ground-nuts, yams, bird's-eye pepper, and garlic for sale.
Calico, of which we had brought some from Cassange, is the chief medium
of exchange. We found them all civil, and it was evident, from the
amount of talking and laughing in bargaining, that the ladies enjoyed
their occupation. They must cultivate largely, in order to be able to
supply the constant succession of strangers. Those, however, near to the
great line of road, purchase also much of the food from the more distant
villages for the sake of gain.

Pitsane and another of the men had violent attacks of fever, and it
was no wonder, for the dampness and evaporation from the ground was
excessive. When at any time I attempted to get an observation of a star,
if the trough of mercury were placed on the ground, so much moisture
was condensed on the inside of the glass roof over it that it was with
difficulty the reflection of the star could be seen. When the trough was
placed on a box to prevent the moisture entering from below, so much dew
was deposited on the outside of the roof that it was soon necessary, for
the sake of distinct vision, to wipe the glass. This would not have been
of great consequence, but a short exposure to this dew was so sure to
bring on a fresh fever, that I was obliged to give up observations by
night altogether. The inside of the only covering I now had was not much
better, but under the blanket one is not so liable to the chill which
the dew produces.

It would have afforded me pleasure to have cultivated a more intimate
acquaintance with the inhabitants of this part of the country, but the
vertigo produced by frequent fevers made it as much as I could do to
stick on the ox and crawl along in misery. In crossing the Lombe, my o