marshy. It was evident that the travellers were crossing
plains that in a long rainy season must be inundated. The
ground was carpeted with luxuriant mosses and graceful
ferns, and the continual appearance of brown hematite
wherever there was a rise in the soil, betokened the existence
of a rich vein of metal beneath.
Remembering what he had read in Dr. Livingstone's account of these treacherous swamps, Dick bade his com- panions take their footing warily. He himself led the way.
Tom expressed his surprise that the ground should be so soaked when there had been no rain for some time.
"I think we shall have a storm soon," said Bat.
"All the more reason, then," replied Dick, "why we should get away from these marshes as quickly as possible. Carry Jack again, Hercules; and you, Bat and Austin, keep close to Mrs. Weldon, so as to be able to assist her if she wants your help. But take care, take care, Mr. Benedict!" he cried out in sudden alarm; "what are you doing, sir?" "I'm slipping in," was poor Benedict's helpless reply. He had trodden upon a kind of quagmire and, as though a trap had been opened beneath his feet, was fast disappearing into the slough. Assistance was immediately rendered, and the unfortunate naturalist was dragged out, covered with mud almost to his waist, but thoroughly satisfied because his precious box of specimens had suffered no injury. Actaeon undertook for the future to keep close to his side, and endeavour to avoid a repetition of the mishap.
The accident could not be said to be altogether free from unpleasant consequences. Air-bubbles in great numbers had risen to the surface of the mire from which Benedict had been extricated, and as they burst they disseminated an odious stench that was well-nigh intolerable. The pas- sage of these pestilential districts is not unfrequently very dangerous, and Livingstone, who on several occasions waded through them in mud that reached to his breast, compares them to great sponges composed of black porous
