I informed him that I wanted to stay a few days in the house at the landing, and begged him to have it made ready for me.

He was very civil, and came down at once to get it cleared, when we found that the traders had already left, on hearing that I required it.

There were no doors to it, so I obtained the loan of a couple of hurdles to keep out dogs and other animals.

The land here was evidently sinking rapidly, as shown by the number of trees standing in salt water dead and dying.
After breakfast I started for a walk to the forest-covered hill above the village, with a couple of boys as guides.

It was exceedingly hot and dry, no rain having fallen for two months.