WANT OF COWRIES. 311 



The 7th of May was a gloomy, dull day, and 

 I was very unwell. 



On the 8th, the Mallams of the neighbourhood 

 brought off a hundred and four pounds of ivory 

 for sale ; but wanting cowries in exchange, I was 

 compelled, though reluctantly, to abandon all 

 hopes of purchasing. Yesterday and to-day we 

 have been obliged to refuse many teeth, merely 

 from our inability to procure cowries. Heavy 

 rain fell in the course of the day. 



On the 9th, the Kroomen were sent to cut 

 wood, and the canoes were on their return from 

 Iccory market. A tooth was brought to me a 

 few days since, with the integuments of the gum 

 attached to it, and quite fresh. The elephant 

 had been killed only three days before, a little 

 way up the Tchadda.* 



Soho, the trader to the King of Cuttum-Cu- 

 rafFee, called on his return from market, and 

 pressed me to send a messenger to the king, 

 who, he was sure, would be very glad to hear 

 from me. I accordingly sent Jowdie, and desired 



* Their method of taking the elephant is by pit-falls, and 

 parties of six and eight taking the animal by surprise, and 

 shooting it. I am informed that there are great numbers 

 of elephants on the east side of the river, and up the 

 Tchadda. 



