102 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
a loose cloth jacket_, large hat^ and great leather boots up to the 
knee_, it being impossible to walk in high grass unless thus pro- 
tectedj as the mosquitoes lurk everywhere. We found the doctors 
well,, but they had lost a sailor ; he died from natural causes. He 
was an experienced man^ and had accompanied the Turkish expedi- 
tion up the White Uiver in 1842. 
April 11^^.— Started at sunrise^ all four boats being towed; they 
looked anything but ship-shape^ every article of clothing, bedding, 
&c., being hung out to dry. The rain has ruined many things, and 
the constant leakage has caused sad havoc amongst the provisions. 
A quantity of biscuit and onions were thrown overboard, six fowls 
and several pigeons were dead, and a sheep was found drowned in 
the small boat. The towing was excellent during the day, and the 
boats kept well up together. One of the dragomen approached 
some of the Shillooks who were hiding, and told them to have no 
fear — that we would do them no harm; and, gaining confidence, 
they said that before the sun was down they would approach the 
boats, and hold converse with the benj or chief, otherwise Petherick. 
The boat made fast to the west shore, near a village ; a crowd of 
Shillooks advanced, all with their lances. Six of the negroes, leav- 
ing their companions, came near the boat, seating themselves on 
the ground. They were very tall, slim men, unclothed, with the 
exception of the chief, who wore a piece of calico round his loins. 
Petherick left the boat, unarmed, accompanied by the dragoman 
and one servant, who carried a panther-skin, and placing it on the 
ground, Petherick seated himself, and the conference began. Gra- 
dually the circle of listeners grew larger — all negroes, as our men 
had been told to keep back, for fear they might intimidate the 
Shillooks, who were very distrustful. They said that their meek, 
