36 THE FERNAND VAZ. Chap. H. 



themselves with the produce of their country, and 

 they were not a little proud of their achievement. 

 Besides Thomas, I sent by the vessel a live female 

 chimpanzee wliich I had obtained, and which I chris- 

 tened " Mrs. Thomas." I also sent a collection of 

 skulls of natives, about ninety in number, for the 

 British Museum. I was obliged to pack these skulls 

 very carefully, to prevent the negroes from know- 

 ing what it was they were carrying on board the 

 ship. 



I had forbidden my lad Macondai to say a word 

 about it. As they placed the box in the canoe, the 

 negroes inquired what was in it. Macondai answered, 

 " Of course, mats for his friends." As soon as the 

 box was on board the ship the mate and the sailors 

 peeped into it, and discovering the contents, begged 

 Captain Yard n to send the box ashore again, as 

 the skulls were sure to bring misfortune and ship- 

 wreck. Luckily for me Captain Yardon had too 

 much good sense to pay any heed to their supersti- 

 tious fears. 



Mrs. Tom unfortunately died on the joassage, but 

 Tom, as I have already stated, arrived safely in 

 London, and is still living.* I went on board when 

 all was ready, and bade Captain Yardon a hearty 

 good-bye. My boys in the canoe gave three cheers 

 for the crew, as the white sails expanded and the 

 little vessel glided away ; and I returned to my 

 solitude in the wilderness with a heavy heart. 



* The fire at the Crystal Palace, to which my unfortunate pet fell a 

 sacrifice, occurred whilst these sheets were passing through the press. 



