BALL PRACTICE AND GUN MEDICINE. 65 



challenged me to shoot against him for a considerable 

 wager, stipulating at the same time that his three 

 brothers were to be permitted to assist him in the com- 

 petition. The king staked a couple of valuable ka- 

 rosses against a large measure filled with my gunpow- 

 der, and we then at once proceeded to the wagon, Vv-here 

 the match was to come off, followed by a number of 

 the tribe. While Sichely was loading his gun, I re- 

 paired to the fore-chest of the wagon, where, observing 

 that I was watched by several of the natives, I pro- 

 ceeded to rub my hands with sulphur, which was in- 

 stantly reported to the chief, who directly joined me, 

 and, clapping me on the back, entreated me to give 

 him a little of my medicine for his gun, which I of 

 course told him he must purchase. Our target being 

 set up, we commenced firing ; it was a small piece of 

 wood six inches long by four in breadth, and was placed 

 on the stump of a tree at the distance of one hundred 

 paces. Sichely fired the first shot, and very naturally 

 missed it, upon Avhich I let fly and split it through the 

 middle. It was then set up again, when Sichely and 

 his brothers continued firing, without once touching it, 

 till night setting in put an end to their proceedings. 

 This, of course, was solely attributed by all present to 

 the power of the medicine I had used. 



When Dr. Livingstone was informed of the circum- 

 stance he was very much shocked, declaring that in fu- 

 ture the natives would fail to believe him when he de- 

 nounced supernatural agency, having now seen it prac- 

 ticed by his own countryman. I obtained several very 

 fine karosses, as also ivory, ostrich feathers, and sundry 

 interesting curiosities, in barter from Sichely and his 

 tribe ; and at noon on the 27th we took leave of Sichely 

 and started for Bakatla. In the evenino: of the follow- 



