PATIENTS. 81 



with the tips of their fingers to express astonishment, 

 and pressing both hands to the lower part of the 

 face was the very modest manner in which they 

 walked off their nearly naked bodies, when we came 

 suddenly up to a party of them, for it was seldom 

 they volunteered to stay in my neighbourhood un- 

 less called upon to do so. A white skin evidently 

 had no charms for them, and I could only smile at 

 their prejudice and bad taste. The same kind of 

 feeling makes many a negro happy in London, who, 

 if the truth were known, looks with an eye of pity 

 or contempt upon the pale faces that turn in disgust 

 from him. 



Mothers, towards evening, came bringing their 

 diseased children into camp, and when I could be 

 of service, it was some pleasure to assist them with 

 what little medicine I possessed ; but to some who 

 were irrecoverable, I only suggested such dietary 

 treatment I considered might be palliative, for I 

 would not risk the danger of having their death 

 laid to my charge, as it would have been had I 

 administered any drug, or held out any hopes of 

 recovery. One or two blind people went away very 

 much disappointed at my not being able to restore 

 them their sight. 



My usual evening meal of rice and kid-flesh 

 being duly prepared, I returned into my hut, drew 

 out in secret my pewter spoon, the only remaining 

 one of three, and made a hearty supper. All 

 illness having apparently left me, appetite and a 



