20 FAMINE AT CAPE VERD ISLANDS. 



CHAPTER II. 



Famine at Cape Verd Islatids. — Want of Rain. — Natives of 

 Port Pray a. — America?i Schooner and Cargo. — Leave Port 

 Praya. — Touch at Isles de Los. — Inhabitants. — Depart 

 from the Islands. — Voyage to York. — Reception at York. — 

 Lieutenant Allen and Mr. Lander taken ill. — Proceed to 

 Free Town. — Kroomen engaged. — Remarks on Kroomen 

 and Fishmen. — Their Characters compared with that of 

 the Negro.— Anchor off Monroria. — Strictures on the Set- 

 tlement. — Visit Simon River. — Cape Palmas. — The Dutch 

 Governor of Axim. — Arrive at Cape Coast — Remarks on 

 that Settlement. 



At the time we visited Port Praya, the Cape 

 Verd Islands were suffering from the effects of a 

 grievous famine, arising from the want of rain, 

 none having fallen in any considerable quantity, 

 as we were informed, for three years. One thou- 

 sand people had died in St. Jago, and upwards 

 of fifteen hundred in Fogo, a smaller island, not 

 so much frequented by ships, and consequently 

 more dependant on its own resources. The go- 

 vernor was in politics one of Don Miguel's party. 



