140 CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE. 



mation, as we advanced to the S.E. with perpendicular 

 fissures from three inches to ^ inch in breadth, filled with 

 quartz. The summits of the hills and the vallies are of stiff 

 clay and vegetable mould extremely fertile. We did not 

 see the smallest trace of any thing calcareous, nor the signs 

 of any other metal than iron. 



August 11 . We had no visitors until near noon, when four 

 women came to the river's side, opposite the boats, to make 

 market, having a single fowl, halfa dozen eggs, and a 

 small basket of beans to sell ; we were soon told that the 

 oldest was a princess of the blood in her own right, and 

 that consequently she enjoyed the privilege of choosing 

 her husband and changing him as often as she liked, while 

 he was confined to her alone, under penalty, if a private 

 person, of being sold as a slave. This lady, after getting 

 for her fowl and other articles twice their value, offered 

 herself and her three companions (who, we Avere assured, 

 were the Chenoo's daughters) for hire, to whoever would 

 take them on board the boats, and seemed to be much dis- 

 appointed at the apathy of white men, Avhen they found 

 their advances treated with neglect. 



In the afternoon a couple of small sheep, a goat, and 

 a few fowls were brought for sale ; but for one of the former 

 the owner had the conscience to ask a full piece of blue bafS. 



