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.
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