hes of trees to
drive off the mosquitoes, which tormented them. Nearer were our
attendants sitting round their watch-fires, and close to them were
picketed the horses, to take advantage of the protection afforded by the
fires against any prowling bear or active leopard. Perfect silence
never reigns in these grand solitudes. Near us I could hear the
incessant metallic chirp of the hyla, the shrill call and reply of the
tree cricket, and the hum of myriads of insects of every description,
while from a distance resounded the hoarse voices of thousands of tank
frogs, which kept up a spirited concert till daylight.

Within our tents, where I went to lie down for a short time, overcome
with fatigue, numberless night-moths were fluttering about, and suddenly
I could see brilliant flashes circling around, now disappearing, now
returning, caused by a covey of fire-flies which had entered, and could
not for some time find the means of escape. At length the tent was left
once more in darkness. I slumbered uneasily for a few hours, and again
arose. I was anxious to know how the poor Veddah was getting on. I
scarcely expected to find him still alive; but as I got outside the
tent, I could hear his voice still addressing his people. Mr Fordyce
had preceded me to the spot, and was listening attentively. It was
already dawn. As I looked at the party, it seemed to me that they
listened with as much attention as when he began. They looked in the
dim uncertain light like a group of bronze statues. As it grew lighter,
I perceived that the voice of the young man grew weaker. The tent faced
the east, looking across the lake. The glow of the rising sun
increased. A wide expanse of the most brilliant golden hues was spread
over the whole of that part of the sky. Then upward rose the sun
himself in all the glorious brilliancy of that lovely clime. I saw the
young Veddah make a sign with his hand. His friends stood aside. He
gazed at the glorious orb of day, then he spoke once more, pointing to
it. His friends turned and looked towards it. Its rays fell full on
his countenance, and, dark as that was, from the expression which
animated it, it was perfectly beautiful. His voice rose. He was
telling his people of the glories of heaven; of Him who placed that
warmth-giving luminary there for their benefit, and who so loved the
world that He sent his only Son, that all who trust in him might be
saved from destruction. This I w