PARTICULARS RESPECTING GEBA. 
323 
influence of the climate, that they might have been taken for 
spectres returned from the tomb. The rest of the population, 
which amounts to seven hundred and fifty individuals, is 
composed of blacks or mulattos, who are nevertheless called 
whites, because all who are free claim that distinction. 
Oranges, lemons, guavas, yams, cassada and maize, 
abound at Geba. Though oxen, sheep, goats, pigs, and 
poultry, are common, the people do not live well, because 
they are extremely parsimonious. Cupidity led Europeans 
to these unhealthy places : avarice still torments them when 
there. The free women, almost all of the Maudingo race, 
shave the whole head ; whilst the slaves cut only the hair 
from the crown. The commerce of this factory consists in 
hides, wax, ivory and slaves, which are sent to Bissao, whither 
the Europeans formerly came to traffic for them. 
Having reason to suppose at the end of six days that my 
«tay began to be troublesome to the inhabitants, I thought fit 
to avail myself of the departure of a vessel for Bissao, where 
I hoped to find a ship bound for Europe. 
Notwithstanding the smallness of my means, I tried to 
evince my gratitude to M. Dioqui, whose kind hospitality had 
been so serviceable to me. At the moment I was about to 
depart, some fresh bread, and a little tea were brought me 
for my voyage ; this new attention on the part of Madame 
Dioqui was certainly worth the present I made her of a whole 
string of coral ; it was a very small acknowledgment for her 
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