12 THE VOYAGE. Chap. I. 



their duration, that the only chances occur. of reaching 

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

 height of the dry 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 principal 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 wliite 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. 



