8 MEMOIR OF THE LIFE 
rain, assume the privilege of making their way down the 
footpaths ; and I was therefore obliged for hours to wade up 
to the knees in water. I was indeed, in general, whether at sea 
or on land, as wet as it was possible to be. One advantage 
accrued from the rain, it kept the decks water-tight ; whereas 
before, I was regularly soaked by the water when they were 
washed at five o'clock in the morning ; and frequently part of 
my collection got damaged. At Cape Palmas we arrived at a 
spot where an intermission of the rainy season takes place, 
and from thence to this place we have enjoyed delight- 
ful weather. The passage, however, was longer than we 
expected; so that water ran very short; and one day we were 
absolutely placed on half-allowance: otherwise we should 
scarcely guess that we were in a foreign zone. As regards 
meat and drink, we have several times a week salted beef or 
pork, and in general, other kinds of meat preserved in her- 
metically sealed cases. Hares, poultry, &c., prepared in 
this way, often appear at table. These ship-stores are 
preferred to the fresh provisions which are presented to us 
on landing. My situation on board is very tolerable. The 
captain gives me all the liberty possible; and I hope, 
when we have once arrived at the proper field of action, to 
meet with every encouragement from him. My health has 
been very good; and although there cannot but be some 
irksome hours to men shut up in a ship, I have yet, on the 
whole, felt happy and contented, and only look forward 
with impatience to the time when my own peculiar service 
will begin.” 
The next letter from Vogel was written from Accra, on the 
4th of August. 
* We remain here but a few days, so that I can acquire 
only a very superficial view of the vegetation of the coast. 
Real forests lie at some distance in the interior, that is, about 
thirty English miles :—too long an excursion, even were it 
not desired that nobody should sleep on shore, for fear of 
fever. Yet I have been twelve or fourteen miles into the 
interior, in the district of Aquafim, to inspect a Danish 
een 
