Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/268

 It was decided that the night should be divided into three watches, so that each could in his turn keep guard for the others. The doctor took the 9 watch, Kennedy the midnight turn, and Joe that at 3  So Kennedy and Joe, wrapped up in their rugs, laid down under the awning, and slept calmly while the doctor kept his vigil.

night was calm: nevertheless, upon the following morning (Saturday), Kennedy, on waking, complained of lassitude and shivering. The weather began to change, and the sky became covered with heavy clouds, as if preparing for a second deluge. Zungomero is a very "weeping" region indeed, for in that delightful locality it rains all the year round except perhaps for about fifteen days in January.

The heavy rain was not slow to assail the travelers. Below them the paths, intersected by "nullahs," the beds of mountain torrents, became impassable, choked as they were besides with bindweed and prickly plants. The travelers distinctly perceived the odor of sulphuretted hydrogen spoken of by Captain Burton.

"As he declared," said the doctor, "and he was right, one can almost believe that a dead body is hidden beneath each bush."

"A villainous country, certainly," said Joe, "and it seems to me that Mr. Kennedy is none the better for having passed the night in it."

"Well, to tell the truth, I have got a pretty strong touch of fever," said the Scot.

"My dear Dick, that is nothing wonderful; we are now in one of the most unhealthy spots in Africa. But we shall not be here long. Let us go."

Thanks to a rapid maneuver of Joe's, the grapnel was detached, and by means of the ladder he regained the car. The doctor at once expanded the gas and the "Victoria" resumed her voyage, impelled by a fairly strong breeze.

Some huts were scarcely visible in the pestilential mist beneath, but the country began soon to change its aspect.