ver I could not
keep myself still because of the itching, but must run and jump like a
madman. And where was I to run to through this huge swamp, in which I
could see no shelter or sign of man? I could not guess, so since I must
keep moving I followed the bank of the river, as I walked disturbing
many crocodiles and loathsome snakes. Now I knew that I could not live
long in such suffering, and determined to struggle forward till I fell
down insensible and death put an end to my torments.

For an hour or more I went on thus till I came to a place that was clear
of bush and reeds. Across this I skipped and danced, striking with my
swollen hands at the gnats which buzzed about my head. Now the end was
not far off, for I was exhausted and near to falling, when suddenly
I came upon a party of men, brown in colour and clothed with white
garments, who had been fishing in the river. By them on the water were
several canoes in which were loads of merchandise, and they were now
engaged in eating. So soon as these men caught sight of me they uttered
exclamations in an unknown tongue and seizing weapons that lay by them,
bows and arrows and wooden clubs set on either side with spikes of
flinty glass, they made towards me as though to kill me. Now I lifted up
my hands praying for mercy, and seeing that I was unarmed and helpless
the men laid down their arms and addressed me. I shook my head to show
that I could not understand, and pointed first to the sea and then to
my swollen features. They nodded, and going to one of the canoes a man
brought from it a paste of a brown colour and aromatic smell. Then by
signs he directed me to remove such garments as remained on me, the
fashion of which seemed to puzzle them greatly. This being done, they
proceeded to anoint my body with the paste, the touch of which gave me
a most blessed relief from my intolerable itching and burning, and
moreover rendered my flesh distasteful to the insects, for after that
they plagued me little.

When I was anointed they offered me food, fried fish and cakes of
meal, together with a most delicious hot drink covered with a brown and
foaming froth that I learned to know afterwards as chocolate. When I
had finished eating, having talked a while together in low tones, they
motioned me to enter one of the canoes, giving me mats to lie on. I
obeyed, and three other men came with me, for the canoe was large. One
of these, a very grave man with a gentle face and mann