54 DEL AGO A BAY. 



was forced to knock it on the head myself, but I 

 did not touch that dish at dinner. 



Most of the marketing is carried on before the 

 door. I am often aroused before sunrise by the 

 cry of " Shabelli," which means " I have to sell." 

 Then I open the door, and perhaps find four 

 or five women, all with pipes in their mouths, 

 and heavy baskets of sweet potatoes, ground- 

 nuts, beans, mealies, or mandioca-root tied up 

 in bundles, on their heads. Sometimes they 

 bring a few fresh beans or bunches of cabbages, 

 or Berenjelas (the fruit of the egg-plant, and 

 most delicious when cut in slices and fried in 

 butter or oil), but fresh vegetables are rarities. 

 A good general market-place is very much 

 wanted here, so that one could be sure of a 

 supply ; for many mornings no women take the 

 trouble to call at houses situated a little out 

 of the regular roads, as they are certain to 

 dispose of all their goods in the town, and a 

 boy has to be sent to intercept them on their 

 way. They very seldom will sell anything for 

 less than a threepenny-bit, which they call a 



