ing was accomplished it was
sufficiently light for the lamps to be dispensed with, and we assembled
for breakfast in a dull-grey atmosphere. Hot tea, even though half mud,
was very good. We believe that the leaf of a certain cactus has the
power of clearing water absolutely; if it is dropped in a vessel of
water, it and the mud settle at the bottom, leaving the water quite
clear; but though several varieties of cacti were tried this morning,
none were successful; apparently the special kind did not grow around
our camp.

[Illustration: _Water Knee-deep._]

No one seemed much disheartened by the rain; even the peons, though
already wet through in their scanty garments, were cheerfully smiling as
usual, with no thought of grumbling. Monte, too, was calmly ready to
accompany us, despite the bad weather.

Owing either to the skilful manner of tucking in the nets adopted last
night, or to the neighbourhood of the sheepfold, mosquitoes had not
troubled us nearly so much as on the previous night; only the continual
flashes of lightning and the soft rumblings of thunder during the steady
downpour had been able to disturb our deep slumbers.

As soon as possible the tents were taken down, packing accomplished, and
a start made. Fortunately the ant-hills were considerably fewer in
number to-day, but the ground was ankle deep in water everywhere, and
fallen tree trunks hidden under the, in some places, really deep water,
formed a considerable danger in our path. However, again owing to the
skill of our drivers, no accident occurred all through that long drive
in unceasing rain, which shrouded all but the most immediate view. Of
course, constant changes of horses were necessary, as, for eight hours
we drove through water, above and below, to our destination. The
accomplishment of that drive of his four-in-hand from the absolutely
unsheltered position on the box was no small feat on the part of The
Jehu; we all felt an even deeper admiration for his pluck and endurance
than before, as he steadily pursued his way on that terrible day, when
his whole body and especially his hands must have been numbed through
and through with the cold and wet. The Chaperon, too, had an arduous
day, though his work was not so strenuous as that of The Jehu. At one
spot, when under trees we made a change of horses, The Chaperon was seen
to be wading through water, knee deep, as he handed round the only
refreshments available--ginger-bread, biscuits, b