314 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



I began to be afraid that she would fall into the 

 water. I can now fully account for their conduct, 

 for I have since learnt that it is the common custom 

 here for a nigger to pick a quarrel with a white 

 man in the hope that he will return their " cheek " 

 with a blow, when a summons is at once obtained 

 and the black gets half the fine which is certain to 

 be imposed. So much for African law. 



We found Skelton's house very comfortable 

 quarters, and spent a jolly evening, the Bishop 

 and Colonial Secretary joining us at dinner. " The 

 clerical " must have an uneasy time, for there is 

 only one church, (the cathedral), and about a 

 hundred and fifty meeting-houses and ranting 

 cribs of other denominations. 



Sierra Leone presents a very favourable appear- 

 ance from the sea in comparison with other settle- 

 ments on the Coast, for behind the town rise two 

 hills nearly four thousand feet high, and the sur- 

 rounding country is beautiful in the extreme. 



By unaccountable stupidity, Freetown, instead 

 of being built on the high ground above fever 

 level, is situated between the hills and the river, 



