172 EVASIVENESS OF THE CHIEF. 



very large one. After remaining several hours 

 without anything of importance occurring, I re- 

 turned to the ship, leaving orders for the bullock 

 to be sent down to the water-side ; but I began 

 to suspect the sincerity of the chief. About 

 dusk the Eboe boy returned with the excuse that 

 the bullock was wild, but he told me at the 

 same time that the chiefs people did not try to 

 catch it. 



Determined to try the wavering chief once 

 more, I inquired if I might employ one of my 

 own men to shoot it. He returned for answer 

 that I might, and that he would send some 

 of his people to assist me and do everything 

 to take it ; at the same time desiring me to 

 forward him another gun, as his was out of re- 

 pair. I accordingly sent one, and despatched 

 four of the men with guns and ropes to secure 

 the bullock. 



In a few hours, Al Hadge and the people re- 

 turned without the bullock. Al Hadge stated 

 that the chief could not be seen, and the natives 

 would not allow them to kill the animal. 



In this manner was I disappointed and tam- 

 pered with, and it seemed likely that without 

 immediate relief I should lose all my men from 



