36 THE FERNAND VAZ. Chap. II. 



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 which 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 Yardon to send the box ashore again, as 

 the skulls were sure to bring misfortune and ship- 

 wreck. Luckily for me Captain Vardon had too 

 much good sense to pay any heed to their supersti- 

 tious fears. 



Mrs. Tom unfortunately died on the passage, 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 wliicli my unfortunate pet fell a 

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



