170 WANT OF OIL FOR THE ENGINE. 



monkey, a dog, and an alligator, with several 

 loose bones ; and I found that they constitut- 

 ed the fetish of the natives. Some palm-wine 

 was brought, which was very refreshing. 



We were much in want of oil for the engine, 

 and I was apprehensive that we could not proceed 

 without a supply. I applied to Assobah to give 

 me the largest bullock he had, in order that I 

 might use the feet for the engine, and agreed to 

 pay him in powder, guns, &c. 



On my return on board, the carpenter and two 

 black firemen were ill of the fever. 



The want of oil for the engine now became 

 serious, and I was apprehensive of being detained, 

 unless we could get some by sending to Da- 

 muggoo or Iddah for Shea butter as a substitute. 

 Even that would take eight or ten days, and the 

 journey was likely to be exceedingly dangerous. 



The chief of the village off which we had an- 

 chored behaved extremely ill to us. After a 

 great deal of bickering and " palavering," as if 

 we were negotiating for a town, he sent us the 

 smallest bullock he could find ; and, what was 

 much more objectionable, the animal did not ap- 

 pear to have an ounce of fat upon its carcase. I 

 therefore returned it, with a message to the chief 



