[12]
[12] The black people of Central Africa, whose character and
opinions we do not yet understand, seem to take peculiar
delight in those very natural phenomena which civilised
nations regard as disastrous. Among other instances, I have
seen an old negress, usually gloomy and taciturn, quite
intoxicated by an earthquake. Whilst others were thinking of
their safety, she ran about the courtyard on her hands and
feet, rolling over, laughing and whooping, as if she were a
devil and this was news from the infernal regions.--ED.
The water still continued to rise, and to foam over the margin of the
island. We were compelled by degrees to retreat towards the centre, and
as there was no sign of abatement, and as the whole valley had become
one rushing river, covered with floating trees,--some shooting singly
along, others entangled into rafts or floating islands, I began to
entertain serious misgivings. Never was there a more perfect picture of
a deluge! It was the Biblical deluge in miniature: and I calculated with
intense interest how many inches additional rise would utterly destroy
our goods, and how many inches more peril our lives. The most gloomy
forebodings troubled me. I had always looked forward to Aheer as a haven
of safety, and instead thereof it had proved to be a place of
persecution. When men had ceased to fight against us, nature began.
Pages:
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272