10 NATIVE SUPERSTITION. 



mised to make some inquiries after him. The 

 cunning fellow wanted some goods on credit, but 

 did not obtain any. 



As we were proceeding on our course, a small 

 canoe came alongside, containing an old woman, 

 the mother of a man of colour named John 

 Thomas, who had acted in the capacity of 

 steward on board the Quorra. She had a small 

 quantity of fish with her. We did not stay for 

 her, but threw her a trifling dash into her canoe ; 

 at which the old lady appeared very much hurt, 

 and began to cry most piteously. She had been 

 with the steamers when they were aground, and 

 usually supplied them with fish. Mr. Lander, 

 feeling hurt at her situation, determined to re- 

 conduct her to Egga (Nufie country), which was 

 her native land, as soon as we returned thither. 



A circumstance occurred to this poor woman 

 which is strongly characteristic of the blind su- 

 perstition of the natives in this part of Africa. 

 This poor creature imagined that she possessed 

 a maghony (charm) which rendered her invulner- 

 able to all edge-tools and cutting instruments. 

 So positive and convinced was she of the effi- 

 cacy of her charm, that she voluntarily assented 

 to hold her leg whilst some person should strike 



