ALLIGATORS. 
life 
noun of thoso climates glances on the sleeping forms 
around, to look out upon the attitudes of profound repose 
both men and beasts assume. Tkcro being no danger from 
wild animals on such a night, tho fires aro allowed almost 
to go out ; and, as there is no fear of hungry dogs coming 
over sloopers and devouring tho food, or quietly eating up 
tho poor follows’ blankots, which at best woro but greasy 
skins, which sometimes happened in the villagos, tho pic- 
ture was one of perfect peace. 
Tho cooking is usually dono in tho nativos’ own style; 
and, as thoy carefully wash tho dishes, pots, and tho hands 
boforo handling food, it is by no means dcspicablo Some- 
times alterations aro mado at my suggestion, and thon thoy 
boliovo that they can cook in thorough white man’s fashion. 
Tho cook always comes in for something left in tho pot; so 
all aro oager to obtain tho office. 
I taught scvoral of them to wash my shirts, and thoy 
did it well, though their teacher had never been taught 
that work himself. Frequent changes of linen and sunning . 
of my blanket kept mo mono comfortable than might havo 
been anticipated, and I feel certain that tho lossons of 
cleanliness rigidly instilled by my mother in childhood 
helped to maintain that respect which these people enter- 
tain for European ways. It is questionable if a doscont to 
barbarous ways ever clovatos a man in the eyes of savages. 
Part of our company marched along tho banks wj,th the 
oxen, and part went in the canoes, but our paco was rogu- 
latod by tho speed of the men on shore. Their courso was 
rather difficult, on account of tho numbors of departing and 
re-entering branches of tho Leeambyo, which thoy had to 
avoid or wait at till wo ferried them over. Tho number 
of alligators is prodigious, and in this rivor they aro more 
savage than in somo others. Many children aro carried 
off annually at Seshoko and other towns; for, notwith- 
8 landing tho danger, when thoy go down for water thoy 
almost always must play a while. This reptilo is said by the 
n atives to strike tho victim with his tail, thon drag him in 
