108 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Nelson andPilkington had gone on to Goodeerie, 
when, not finding any of the party, they returned 
to Ganado, where we passed the night, and lost 
four horses and (six) all our sheep, in conse- 
quence of their having eaten the leaves of a 
tree (called Talee, by the natives) which is com- 
mon throughout this country. It is a strong 
poison, and has a very sweet taste. The pagan 
natives of some parts of Africa, make use of an 
infusion of the bark of this tree to ascertain whe- 
ther a person among them, suspected of witch- 
craft, be guilty or not. The accused is obliged 
to drink a quantity of this liquor, and which, 
according to its strength, sooner or later pro- 
duces nausea, vomiting, and pain in the stomach 
and abdomen, and not unfrequently terminates 
in the death of the person ; in which case he 
is considered to have been guilty: but should 
the person recover, either in consequence of 
the weakness of the dose (sometimes arising 
from a large bribe administered to the person 
who made it), or a great strength of constitution 
and timely antidotes, he is declared innocent. 
This horrid method is seldom practised by the 
Mahomedan natives of Africa. 
On the morning of the 23d, I again sent 
forward Mr. Burton (being the only officer now 
with me, able to do duty) to Goodeerie, with all 
the asses, loaded, and directions to send them 
