FAREWELL TO AFRICA 421 



customer's kinks into a Nigerian wind-blown bob, or 

 maybe rubbing the lady's face with sheep fat to give 

 its black surface a high luster. We could not help 

 admiring the effect, nor will we ever forget our olfac- 

 tory sensations when approaching close to these sheep- 

 dipped beauties. The practice of anointing the body 

 is usual among African tribes, some of them using 

 animal fats and others fish oil, but most of them 

 employing vegetable oils which they themselves extract. 



We soon learned that the natives in this part of 

 Africa were entirely different from any encountered 

 before, speaking a pidgin English wliich was very 

 amusing, some of their expressions being remarkable. 

 As prevaricators, they easily take the world's cham- 

 pionship. At one of the garages I met a boy as black 

 as the ace of spades, posing under the name of "Ford." 

 Upon asking if he were any relation to the famous 

 maker of a well-known car, he repUed, "Yes, him my 

 brother 1" When I inquired if Mr. Ford knew about 

 the relationship he said, "He wTite me, I write him, 

 every week. Letter come top-side yesterday I" As my 

 trucks were just about to breathe their swan song, 

 and I was contemplating buying another truck to 

 finish the journey to the coast, I asked this boy if he 

 would use his influence in getting me a reduction. 

 He answered, "Ford truck, him good, way past sar- 

 dines, me write 'em tonight." 



My announced intention of continuing the trek to 

 Lagos by motor had received very little encourage- 

 ment, practically everyone saying it was hopeless 

 because of the many tributaries of the Niger which 

 were now in flood. Past observations had taught me 

 that most obstacles were mental; so I did not let 



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