BATHYBIA.
themselves surprisingly rapidly to these new circumstances; possibly owing to previous exercise in the dull pink illumination of modern drawing-rooms. In the jungle the light was exceedingly dim and our exploits had to be conducted with great caution. Although since the recent discoveries, the food supply presented no immediate difficulties, we were loth to remain a winter in these regions for, though the summer conditions were bearable, there was no guarantee of their remaining so during the long dark night of the winter. As soon therefore, as the raft was completed, we launched out on our down-staeam voyage, intending to make the most of our time collecting facts concerning this wonderful land.
Oars of a kind had been fashioned, but were mostly serviceable in polling the craft off weed banks, the current being quite sufficient to take us along at about two miles per hour.
Many were the suggestions offered for cooking our new food, but finally the amateurs gave over in favour of the chef, who had the power of making the most tasteless dishes appetising by attaching names. The concoctions usually served up in Bathybia were purées which, being translated, simply meant freshly gathered this or that, immersed in pure river water,
