The sombre gloom was relieved only by a strange lurid glare, which hung on the distant horizon far away across that weird land.

The air was soon filled with fine ashes, which descended in such quantities as to cover all vegetation, and completely hide exposed water-holes and lagoons.

Even at the time I attributed the phenomenon to volcanic disturbance, and I have since found that it was most likely due to an eruption of the volcano of Krakatoa.

This visitation occasioned very great consternation among the superstitious blacks, who concluded that the spirits had been angered by some of their own misdeeds, and were manifesting their wrath in this unpleasant way.

I did not attempt to enlighten them as to its true cause, but gave them to understand vaguely that I had something to do with it.