AFRICA. 69 
Whilft I was converfmg with the chief by . 
means of my interpreters, I obferved that his 
left-hand wanted two joints of the little finger. 
I thought proper to aflc him the reafon, and 
was informed, that, having in his infancy had a 
fevere illnefs, amputation had been employed 
to cure him. 
Though he anfwered my queftion, I per- 
ceived that it had not been agreeable to him. 
During the reft of our converfation, he feem- 
ed to be. uneafy, that from time to time I 
caft my eyes towards his hand ; and, till the 
moment of my departure, he always endea- 
voured to conceal it when we were together^ 
This cuftom of a lavage people, who, to 
relieve a man in pain, add new fufferings to 
his evils, affords a vaft field for refledion; and 
I acknowledge that this inftance contradids 
my experience, for I never faw in any other 
part of Africa a man either mutilated or de^ 
formed. 
Mr. Paterfon tells us, that he obferved in- 
ftances of the fame pradice among a horde at the 
mouth of Orange- river; which is not improba- 
ble. However abfurd a cuftom may be, favage 
tribes, when they are neighbours, may bor- 
F 3 row 
