April.] PRESENTS TO THE KING, &c. 
185 
ened it now and then upon a skin. The razor 
was purchased for a few beads ; the bargain being 
finished they seemed highly diverted at the oc- 
currence. 
Having looked out parcels of little articles as 
presents to Kossie, Mungallee, and two chiefs, 
both named Maquotoo. The two former came 
into the tent to receive their's. The parcel for 
the King was opened first. Each article was ex- 
plained, and then presented, which he received in 
silence, without question or remark. The same 
was the conduct of Mungallee. I sent the other 
presents to the elder captains, who are more re- 
served than the younger ones, not coming so 
frequently to see us. 
In the evening the King said he would have 
accompanied us to the Marootzee, were his wife 
not in child-bed, (during which time it is con- 
trary to their law for the husband to leave his 
wife,) but he would send some of his servants 
part of the way, with pack-oxen to bring back 
what game we might have to spare, for he said 
provisions were very scarce at Mashow, Indeed 
many of the young people were mere skeletons 
from want of victuals. In such a situation it 
would not have been surprising if they had risen 
upon us and plundered us of all our oxen. 
