28 INTERCOURSE WITH NATIVES. 



ran oif into the jungle. When we landed, they kept 

 aloof for a long time, but at last came to us, seeing 

 we meant no harm, and supplied us with rice, &c. 

 They said they fancied we were Portuguese, and had 

 come for slaves. Metakenny (a much-dreaded rebel 

 Portuguese, who rules an immense mob of ruffians), 

 having depopulated much of the country about here, 

 keeps these unfortunate creatures in a state of per- 

 petual alarm. When satisfied that we were English, 

 they became quite free. They examined our guns 

 and revolvers with great curiosity, and told us " they 

 remembered the canoe that the English had on the 

 river which used to puff black smoke," alluding to 

 the Pioneer. 



In some places on the river up here, the current is 

 so strong that the five men in my boat can scarcely 

 make any head-way, and I am constantly obliged to 

 take an oar myself for an hour or two. This I don't 

 particularly like, the sun is so powerful all day. Most 

 of my crew complain of sore hands. 



Since entering the Shire, I have had no shooting, 

 the grass, from ten to fifteen feet high, being as yet 

 unburned ; but the natives report a good country for 

 game a short distance ahead. When perfectly satis- 

 fied that we are English, the natives bring their 

 women to see us, and we soon become great friends. 

 Knives, breech-loading rifles, including Sniders, pho- 

 tograph books, binoculars, &c., have invariably to 

 be exhibited and explained ; but perhaps the greatest 

 source of wonder and astonishment to the niggers is 

 my cornopean, which I am sometimes compelled to 

 play much longer than is quite agreeable to me. 



