16 MEMOIR OF THE LIFE 
four fingers and the middle of the hand: on the thumb they 
have an iron ring, and draw between this and the handle the 
bowstring; so that they cannot injure the hand. Besides, 
they are ready, as soon as the arrow is discharged, to use 
the knife. There is a peculiar custom in the whole of - 
Africa, called “ dash.” Before a person deals with a stranger, 
a present is given, called in African-English, “dash.” As 
the Africans expect that strangers or Europeans give far 
more than they receive, this system is a sort of indirect im- 
post, and unpleasant to those who are not prepared for it; 
and I have seen many a silk handkerchief given away in this 
manner for nothing. The cotton ones, which I had bought, 
have done me good service in this way. 
“The weather has been very pleasant for travelling. The 
rainy season, which we have had in perfection, bestows at pre- 
sent only an occasional shower: I expect therefore that the 
river, now at its height, will soon begin to fall. The heat in the 
afternoon is generally up to 83° Fahr., seldom so high as 
87° or 90°. At night it sinks to 76° or 74°, which feels very 
cold after the heat of the day. But the sun has peculiar |. 
influence here, especially when it bursts forth gradually after 
a gush of rain: it is then so burning, that I am glad to use 
an umbrella and a straw hat. 3 
“The country we have so slowly examined is pronounced 
unhealthy. It is no wonder then that the African fever, or 
rather fevers, kept in check during the journey itself by the 
excitement, has broken out most terribly ; so that the ships 
are so many lazarettos, At present we have had few deaths ; 
but what may take place, it is impossible to say; for no 
sickness is more deceptive, or undergoes quicker changes, 
than this fever. Before the evil proclaimed itself so loudly, 
the plan was as follows: One ship, the Wilberforce, was to 
go up the Tschadda—this is still to be done. The two other 
ships were to ascend the Niger, as far as Bussah or higher. 
If they could not proceed further, two great boats were to - 
be manned, and, if possible, to reach Timbuctoo. Now; 
however, a plan is arranged for sending the smallest vessel, 
SUR 
Qa ii cues 
