With mine, when the image of the sun is lost it is immediately
found again by simply rotating the instrument on its axis; but with
Professor Miller's the image must be felt for wholly anew.
Fire Signals.--Fire-beacons, hanging up a lantern, or setting fire to an
old nest high up in a tree, serve as night-signals; but they are never to
be depended on without previous concert, as bushes and undulations of the
ground will often hide them entirely. The sparks from a well-struck flint
and steel can be seen for much more than a mile.
Smoke Signals.--The smoke of fires is seen very far by day; and green
wood and rotten wood make the most smoke. It is best to make two fires
100 yards apart, lest your signalling should be mistaken for an ordinary
fire in the bush. These double fires are a very common signal to vessels
in the offing, on the African coast.
Other Signals.--By Sight.--A common signal for a distant scout is, that
he should ride or walk round and round in a circle from right to left, or
else in one from left to right.
Mr. Parkyns, speaking of Abyssinia, describes the habits of a caste of
robbers in the following words:--"At other times they will lie concealed
near a road, with scouts in every direction on the look-out; yet no one
venturing to speak, but only making known by signs what he may have to
communicate to his companions or leader.
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