400 SURPRISE OF TFIE NATIVES. 



ing the string. These calabashes were filled with 

 pebbles, in order more effectually to scare and ter- 

 rify the marauders. 



The morning was very fine, but oppressively 

 hot. We purchased one hundred eggs, and out 

 of that number only found fifteen good ones. In 

 Africa the fowls are the property of the women. 

 The natives do not eat the eggs themselves, it 

 being considered criminal to do so, but allow 

 them to remain in the nests to be hatched ; 

 which accounts for so many bad ones being 

 met with. 



As we pursued our course up the river before 

 a fine breeze under our sail, our rapid progress 

 appeared to attract the attention of some of the 

 natives, who could not understand how it was 

 the boat went so fast without the application of 

 paddles. We repeatedly heard them exclaiming 

 as we passed, " It is maghony, maghony (medi- 

 cine, medicine)," not one suspecting that the sails 

 were the cause of our progress. 



Soon afterwards we were surprised on per- 

 ceiving a canoe with the union jack flying ; and 

 on nearing it, we found it contained the brother 

 of Abboka, King of Damuggoo, with two of his 

 wives and about fifteen or twenty pullaboys. 



