380 CARRIERS — FEVEK. Chap. XIX. 



to and from the coast. The goods are carried on the head, or on 

 one shoulder, in a sort of basket attached to the extremities of 

 two poles between five and six feet long, and called Motete. 

 When the basket is placed on the head, the poles project forwards 

 horizontally, and when the carrier wishes to rest himself, he plants 

 them on the ground and the burden against a tree, so he is not 

 obliged to lift it up from the ground to the level of the head. It 

 stands against the tree propped up by the poles at that level. 

 The carrier frequently plants the poles on the ground, and stands 

 holding the burden until he has taken breath, thus avoiding the 

 trouble of placing the burden on the ground and lifting it up 

 again. 



When a company of these carriers, or our own party, arrives 

 at one of these sleeping-places, immediate possession is taken of 

 the sheds. Those who come late and find all occupied, must then 

 erect others for themselves ; but this is not difficult, for there is 

 no lack of long grass. No sooner do any' strangers appear at the 

 spot, than the women may be seen emerging from then villages 

 bearing baskets of manioc-meal, roots, ground-nuts, yams, bird's- 

 eye pepper, and garlic for sale. Calico, of which we had brought 

 some from Cassange, is the chief medium of exchange. We 

 found them all civil, and it was evident, from the amount of 

 talking and laughing in bargaining, that the ladies enjoyed their 

 occupation. They must cultivate largely, in order to be able to 

 supply the constant succession of strangers. Those, however, 

 near to the great line of road, purchase also much of the food from 

 the more distant villages for the sake of gain. 



Pitsane and another of the men had violent attacks of fever, 

 and it was no wonder, for the dampness and evaporation from 

 the ground was excessive. When at any time I attempted to get 

 an observation of a star, if the trough of mercury were placed on 

 the ground, so much moisture was condensed on the inside of the 

 glass roof over it, that it was with difficulty the reflection of the 

 star could be seen. When the trough was placed on a box to 

 prevent the moisture entering from below, so much dew was 

 deposited on the outside of the roof, that it was soon necessary, 

 for the sake of distinct vision, to wipe the glass. This would 

 not have been of great consequence, but a short exjoosure to 

 this deAv was so sine to bring on a fresh fever, that I was obliged 



