When the rain was over we contrived to light a fire, though not without some trouble; one of my companions tore off a bit of his pagne, laid powder upon it, and then putting it under the lock of his gun, contrived to set fire to it. We cut off a few branches of trees, to make a sort of hut to shelter us for the rest of the night; the rain had no sooner ceased, than we were beset by swarms of mosquitoes, which gave us no rest. Two of our companions, armed with poniards and lances, went in search of water, with a vessel which we had brought for that purpose; when our fire was lighted, we cooked upon the embers four yams and a few pistachios for supper, and, after this frugal repast, we stretched ourselves on wet leaves round the fire. As nearly as I can calculate, we had then travelled twelve miles from Sofino, in an easterly direction, over a good, but rather gravelly soil. The rain prevented me from using my sandals, and I was forced to walk barefoot over the gravel which gave me great pain. While I was lying by the fire, I could not help reflecting upon the suffering and fatigues I should have to endure, if I continued my journey during the season when the rain is perpetual; I thought also of the danger there would have been in venturing through these woods with no companion but Lamfia, who had proposed that I should do so, and would very likely have plundered me without mercy. I had time, in the silence of this vast wilderness, to indulge my melancholy reflexions, which were interrupted only by the notes of some night birds, and by the croaking of frogs. This was a dreadful night; I got no sleep, and I thought that it would never be morning. On the 17th of July, day-light at last appeared, dissipating the vapours of the atmosphere, and reviving all nature. We ate some of the roasted yams, which we had over from the preceding night, and after this light meal we set off towards the east, and crossed a large rivulet by a bridge that was nearly in ruins; every moment we were in danger of falling into the water, but we got over in safety; it was constructed on the same principle as that at Cambaya. The inundation of this stream, the banks of which are well-wooded, covered all the neighbouring country; the water was up to our knees, and we walked with great pain, on account of the gravel which cut our feet.