C;HAr. II. A PET CHIMPANZEE. 23 



implore me not to say a word to the contrary. The 

 people were smiling all the while, for they knew 

 better, and were well acquainted with the ways of 

 their beloved old chief. He would not remove the 

 chests to his canoe in the day-time, but came at night, 

 on the eve of his departure, when every one was 

 asleep, and stealthily took them himself, with the aid 

 of two slaves, down to the water-side. 



In a few days the vessel was unloaded, and my 

 goods stored in several huts which were secured only 

 by a door tied with a rope of lianas to the bamboo wall. 

 My property, however, was respected, and the honest 

 Commi people did not rob me of a single article. 

 Quengueza returned to Goumbi, and I gradually 

 inured myself again to the climate and ways of the 

 country. I made short excursions in various direc- 

 tions, visited numerous petty chiefs, besides receiving- 

 visits from others, and stimulated them and their 

 people to the collection of produce, that Captain 

 Yardon might reload his vessel and return to Eng- 

 land. As I have described the coast country at length 

 in my former book, a few incidents only of my stay 

 need be recorded here, together with some stray 

 notes on the natural history, before I commence the 

 narrative of my expedition into the interior. 



On tlie 1st of November a negro from a neighbour- 

 ing village brought me a young male chimpanzee 

 about three years old, which had been caught in the 

 woods on the banks of the Npoulounay about three 

 months previously. Thomas, for so I christened my 

 little protege, was a tricky little rascal, and afforded 



