56 EVENING ENTERTAINMENT. 



previously evinced towards us ; and we were immedi- 

 ately invited to his hut, where our seats had scarcely 

 been taken round the fire before he began to inquire 

 eagerly for " news." He was extremely inquisi- 

 tive respecting all particulars of our journey from 

 the period at which we had left him, every occur- 

 rence being minutely related to him by the guide. 

 In the course of the evening hearing the old Chief 

 speak in a loud and irritated tone, and apparently 

 under considerable excitement, I found upon inquiry 

 that his anger had been roused by the refusal of our 

 guide to show him the quantity of beads which had 

 been given to him for his hire. I understood the 

 termination of his wrathful speech to imply that 

 the poor guide had incurred his serious displea- 

 sure ; — that " he was but the dog sent to run 

 before the white men, and that the very eyes by 

 which he found his way belonged to his Chief!" 

 The only effect produced on the interpreter by this 

 observation was a sullen and obstinate silence, no in- 

 clination being shown on his part, during my stay 

 in the hut, to satisfy the cupidity of his superior. 



The usual refreshments of milk and millet were 

 produced : on my looking rather squeamishly at the 

 greasy basket which contained the former, and show- 

 ing some hesitation to taste what it contained, Botu- 

 man directed me to be informed that I need be under 

 no apprehension, as it was milk belonging to the 

 Chief, at the same time partaking of it himself. Mr, 



