m WESTERN AFRICA. 87 
little Arabic writing, be good to bring money in, 
and cause others to wait for money due them. 
Another of these gregrees is simply a roll of 
splinters, with some of the efficacious writing in 
the inside ; and this good ’’ to keep witches out 
of houses, and from hurting persons anywhere. 
This class of gregrees is very numerous. With 
but few if any exceptions, all feel the need of 
protection from the injury which witches are 
sure to bring upon them unless they are thus 
secured. 
It is truly remarkable how confidently they be- 
lieve these gregrees will produce the results for 
which they are used; and though they have been 
deceived by them scores of times, they still cling 
to them most firmly. 
If any one makes a new discovery, performs an 
extraordinary feat, or is very skillful in any re- 
spect whatever, they say ^‘he have some gregree 
for show that.” I heard one say that the reason 
white people know so much, and make so many 
fine things, is because they have one big^ big 
gregree for show them.” 
The English consul of Sherbro Island, Rev. 
Mr. Handsen, some years since, captured two 
slave-canoes at the same time, having only his 
boatmen, some six or seven men, to assist him. 
He shot the leader of the canoes, and then rushed 
7 
