A NEGEO chief's PETITION TO THE QUEEN. 145 
clothings even the gunpowder in tin eases^ all were saturated ; but 
the grain^ it was sad indeed to see the state that was in. I must 
not dwell upon this disaster ; the sun shines^ and we must all to 
work whilst its bright rays last. At noon a light breeze ; went on 
gaily before it^ all of us busy drying stores and clothing. 
At two p.m. a sudden storm found us totally unprepared for it. 
The sails defied our men to furl them^ and flapped wildly; the 
gusts of wind were terrific. The scattered clothes were hastily 
collected and thrown into the cabin_, and eventually we were ^ 
obliged to make fast to the reeds. In an hour the gale mode- 
rated^ when we again sailed^ scudding before it. Observed several 
negroes on the east bank^ who hailed us to stop — amongst them 
recognized the old Nouaer chief of the panther-skin — and we did 
so. When^ unaccompanied,, the old man stepped on board and 
prostrated himself at Petherick's feet,, he was worn and haggard,, 
and for a time could not utter a word,, big tears rolling down his 
cheeks. Petherick, ordering the old man's pipe to be filled,, told 
him to smoke,, and then to state what had brought him so far 
from his home. Ever since our departure from the Aliab on May 
16th,, he,, with eleven men,, had been following us, to acquaint 
Petherick with the wrongs inflicted upon him on that day by the 
men of the Syrian merchant's boat. Three days and nights he had 
remained in the woods near to where he had been recognized by our 
people, and a watch had been always kept that the Lady of the 
Nile " might not pass unobserved. He begged that Petherick 
would tell our great Sultan (for so our Queen is called) how they 
were outraged, as he believes that it is in her power to redress their 
wrongs. The poor old chief had to mourn the loss of several of 
his kindred amongst those kidnapped on the 16th ; one of the 
nearest a daughter. Presently three of his attendants came on 
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