Sleep was broken, and uncanny things happened in the night.

Men said that they saw other men like trees, walking abroad with sightless eyes; and Joseph said, "Gammon, my festive darky--gammon!" but he, nevertheless, glanced somewhat uneasily towards his master whenever the natives said such things.
A clearing had been made on that part of the Plateau which was most accessible from below.

The Simiacine trees had been ruthlessly cut away--even the roots were grubbed up and burnt--far away on the leeward side of the little kingdom.

This was done because there arose at sunset a soft and pleasant odour from the bushes which seemed to affect the nerves, and even made the teeth chatter.

It was, therefore, deemed wise that the camp should stand on bare ground.
It was on this ground, in front of the tents, that Guy Oscard drew up his quick-marching column before the sun had sprung up in its fantastic tropical way from the distant line of virgin forest.