S62 FOOD OF THE NATIVES. 



off, the river is about half a mile wide, and 

 sandbanks and huts are to be seen at a distance. 

 At Hooproomah several canoes came off to us, 

 bringing palm-wine : in one of them were three 

 powerful-looking natives, wearing a piece of 

 printed cotton round their loins. One of them 

 impertinently asked why we did not go on shore ; 

 and our interpreter was desired to tell them, that 

 if they did not go away, we should fire into them. 

 The swivels were immediately pointed at them, 

 and they paddled away in great haste, somewhat 

 alarmed. 



On the 11th of June, at 12. 25 a.m. we again 

 started on our way up the river ; but had some 

 difficulty in inducing the Kroomen to work their 

 paddles. A rainy and a dull foggy morning fol- 

 lowed. We passed an inclosed place about 

 three hundred yards wide in the river, for catch- 

 ing fish, nearly similar to those made on the 

 coast of England for taking herrings. This 

 morning we purchased a very large bunch of 

 bananas (7nusa sapientum), which, with plantains 

 (niusa paradisiaca), constitute the principal food 

 of the natives. Observed a great number of ca- 

 noes at a distance. The river at this part is 

 about twelve hundred yards wide, and presents 



