M A L L O. 



323 



matic in flavour ; they also met with a handsome little palm (Corypha), 

 and obtained specimens of it in flower. 



They returned to the town by a different route, through the woods, 

 and concluded that it was better to attempt to reach the boat before 

 sunset, than to remain among these savages. They accordingly set 

 out for this purpose, but were benighted, nearly opposite to the town of 

 Myandone, where they met the chief, who invited them to his town; 

 and, as there was nothing better for them to do, they accepted the 

 invitation. The path led over many mud-holes, which it was dan- 

 gerous to cross, even in the daytime, as the means of doing so were 

 no more than a single stick, and that stick under water. What was 

 dangerous by day, of course became vastly more difficult at night. 

 The chief directed that they should mount on the shoulders of the 

 natives, and thus astride, they passed over the morass for a distance 

 of upwards of a quarter of a mile, finding their way by the light of 

 the torches, which served to show them the difficulties they were en- 

 countering, and the disaster that was to be expected from a false step 

 of their bearers. 



On their arrival at the town, they entered the mbure, and became 

 the guests of the chief for the night. He treated them to a snpper 

 of small clams and yams, and a corner of the mbure was assigned to 

 them for sleeping. 



The night was passed under some feeling of insecurity, for their 

 host was the noted rebel chief who had been making war on Tui 

 Mbua, and was not considered very trustworthy. 



chief's house. 



The next morning, after rewarding the chief with jack-knives and 

 tobacco, they recrossed the morass in like manner, and reached the 

 ship by the boat. As this party had not succeeded in obtaining the 

 specimens of sandalwood they desired, an opportunity offering, through 



