Also the district was so unhealthy that even
several of the Ogula contracted fever, of which Alan cured them by heavy
doses of quinine, for fortunately his travelling medicine chest remained
to him. These cures were effected after their chief suggested that they
should be thrown overboard, or left to die in the swamp as useless,
with the result that the white man's magical powers were thenceforth
established beyond doubt or cavil. Indeed the poor Ogula now looked
on him as a god superior even to Little Bonsa, whose familiar he was
supposed to be.
The journey through that swamp was very trying, since in this wet season
often they could find no place on which to sleep at night, but must stay
in the canoe tormented by mosquitoes, and in constant danger of being
upset by the hippopotami that lived there. Moreover, as no game was now
available, they were obliged to live on these beasts, fish when they
could catch them, and wildfowl, which sometimes they were unable to cook
for lack of fuel. This did not trouble the Ogula, who ate them raw, as
did Jeekie when he was hungry. But Alan was obliged to starve until they
could make a fire. This it was only possible to do when they found drift
or other wood, since at that season the rank vegetation was in full
growth.
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