106 
MISSIONARY ESTABLISHMENT. 
and Indian corn, by pounding it in large wooden 
mortars, several of them had a little infant suspended to 
the back, which slept on, regardless of the incessant and 
jerking motion of the mother. 
A good many of the men speak imperfect English, 
either acquired from the Americans, or on board our 
ships, where most of them have spent more or less time. 
Tlie natives here, as at all other points on the coast, 
do not expend much time or clothing on their persons. 
A plain cotton cloth, folded from above the hreast and 
round the middle, is considered sufficient for the women, 
while the men are content to walk in the more simple 
and convenient waist-cloth. 
17^/j. — At an early hour we went on shore and 
wandered into the country surrounding Cape Palmas ; 
passing through an irregular street of detached 
houses, inhabited mostly by American blacks who have 
been settled here. The country is well cleared of large 
trees, and occasionally some patches of rice were met 
with, which the natives were cutting down and bearing 
home on their heads, accompanied with the usual 
garrulous din of the Negro. About two miles from 
tbe town, we were agreeably startled by hearing nume- 
rous voices engaged in a hymn well-known in hoyish 
days, and which falling on the ear in a sequestered 
African palm grove, raised pleasing, yet sad emotions : on 
approaching we were surprised to find the vocal harmony 
proceeded from a large well-built house, used as a school, 
and from which on our coming nearer, the good super- 
