12 ■ THE VOYAGE. Chap. T. 



their duration, that the only cliances occur of reaching 

 this difficult shore. When the sea is rough, in the 

 height of the dr}^ season, these lulls do not occur for 

 days together. A favourable moment at length 

 arrived ; a canoe reached us, and we were delivered 

 from our perilous situation. 



This was the fifth time during my experience of 

 this coast that I had been upset in the breakers, and 

 saved by the exertions of these faithful negroes. 

 After landing, the magnitude of the loss which I had 

 sustained presented itself with full force to my mind. 

 All my astronomical instruments were spoilt by the 

 salt water, and with them the power of carrying out 

 the i^rincipal object of my journey. There was no 

 help for it but to submit to a weary delay, whilst a 

 second set was sent for from England. 



As soon as I reached the shore, I found myself 

 surrounded by the blacks; the women being con- 

 spicuous by their sympathies. A general shout arose 

 — " Who are the people who are jealous of us, de- 

 siring the death of our white man ? " 



In this country all misfortunes are attributed to 

 some evil influence, bewitching the sufferer ; and 

 they referred to the jealousy of some neighbouring 

 village, the catastrophe from which I had so narrowly 

 escaped. 



