24 Voyage of the Novara. 



traversed in all directions for scientific purposes, so far at 

 least as the density of the forest and the mistrust of the natives 

 would permit. 



On the very same day we visited the Cove of Saoui, on 

 which is situated the village of the same name, whose chief is 

 called " Captain John." This worthy had received by way 

 of present an old cast-off blue uniform frock, and was now 

 making strenuous exertions to squeeze his all too little flexible 

 limbs into this tight thick cloth coat, and to button it, despite 

 the tropical heat, round his naked body up to the very throat. 

 He was anxious it should not be reported of him that he did 

 not sufficiently value the distinction awarded him, or did not 

 comprehend how to make a proper use of it. Unlike the rest 

 of his compatriots. Captain John also wore shoes and pants, and 

 in consequence openly claimed to belong to the privileged 

 classes. He was surrounded by a considerable number of 

 natives, who presented themselves to us, as Captain Morgan, 

 Captain Douglas, Dr. Crisp, Lord Nelson, Lord Byron, Lord 

 Wellington, and so forth, having been indebted to the singular 

 whimsies of some English captains, who thought it a good 

 joke to confer on these filthy brown people the illustrious 

 names of the hereditary and intellectual aristocracy of Great 

 Britain. 



Captain John accompanied us along the coast to his own 

 domicile by an exceedingly difficult and sunny path, having 

 designedly concealed from us the existence of a much more 

 commodious track through the forest to the village, which con- 



