Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/378

350 We allowed him to do every thing, from which no bad consequences could result; but it was our business to interrupt his operations, when he was proceeding to souse the patient, with a pail of water, newly drawn from the well. It was but a very little time before the critical sweat, which terminated in his recovery.

The Malay doctor doubtless placed all his science in this experiment; but he did not know that it would have suppressed the critical perspiration, of which the pulse had given us the happy presage.

Our patient was sufficiently recovered on the 19th, no longer to require such assiduous care. We therefore proceeded westward into the country. After having long followed the course of a little river, which runs into the harbour at a short distance from the town, we were returning with a load of fine plants, when, at the approach of night, we met some native fishermen who had been equally fortunate, in their way, and who were proceeding to broil their fish. We had the pleasure of seeing them light up their fire, by means of two pieces of bamboo, rubbed against each other, after being cut in a manner which I shall presently explain.

20th. We employed half of the day in an excursion towards the south; and we made haste to ascend