CROSSING A “ MARIGOT.” 89

of the sun pecled the skin off his face, and occa-
sioned a smarting which lasted for days together.
T'o these inconveniences were added those of the
quicksands, which were excessively fatiguing, as
the traveller sank up to the ankles, and with diffi-
culty waded along. “Then, for the first time,”
exclaimed Adanson, “TI perceived the use of that
thick skin with which nature has provided the
soles of the negroes’ feet, whereby they are secured
against hard substances, and have no need of shoes.
Yet I accustomed myself by degrees to this sort
of fatigue, for there ig nothing but what one
may compass with a good will,—and this was not
wanting.”

Here is his picture of crossing one of the marigolds
or rivulets of the country, which are sometimes
very dangerous: “ When I had advanced a few
steps towards the bed of the stream I entered,
though I had my clothes on, into the water up to
my waist; but I did not care to go farther, ag 1
might have met with some hole, which would have
embarrassed me greatly. I therefore sent my
negro to sound the bottom; and in the meantime
I got upon a tree, in order to avoid the serpents
and the water, which began to fatigue me. After
sounding for some time, he was of opinion he could
carry me over a particular spot, where the water
caine up only to his nostrils when he stood on tip-