PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. 329 



embraced me so cordially, that he endangered 

 my slender frame. He immediately took ofF the 

 old ragged cap he wore, aad replacing it with 

 his new one went ashore highly delighted. I 

 cautioned him against ever attempting to harm 

 the white men any more, but rather to do good 

 to them, and assist them. 



Last night a Ju-ju was made on shore. I was 

 informed that during the ceremony neither men 

 nor women are allowed to leave their houses. 

 A disobedience on the part of the women would 

 entail a miscarriage on those who are pregnant, 

 and sterility on the rest. I heard a shrill kind 

 of noise, made by blowing a scrivelloe with a 

 hole at the upper end. 



Preparations for going to the sea-side had now 

 been making on board for some days. The arms 

 were examined and repaired, the ship's guns 

 cleaned, the locks cleaned, &c. &c. We stowed 

 away a supply of wood as well as we were able ; 

 the chimney, engine-house, and steam-chest 

 having been repainted ; and the little vessel 

 looked quite gay. 



The river having risen considerably, I deter- 

 mined on getting under weigh. At 4. 45, steam 

 was up ; but unfortunately we could not move 



