146 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
board. For tbe first time I witnessed the spitting salutation,, but 
this they did in their own hands,, waving them at the same time 
towards Petherick : it is only the chief who is privileged to spit 
direct in the hand or face of the one he would honour. I gave 
Shotbyl (for so was the chief called) a string of the large pigeon- 
egged bead, resembling opal, and, through the interpreter, ex- 
pressed my sympathy for him and his ; my husband, also, taking 
his hand, assured him that previous to his request he had reported 
his hard fate to his Government, and, although it was far, far away, 
he had no doubt but that eventually relief would come, and punish- 
ment would overtake the guilty. His reply, through the same 
medium, I give : Your words will ever sound in my ears, they are 
pleasant, as they console. Petherick ordered them a good supper; 
and at sunset they retired to the wood, to return, as they said, in 
the morning. 
May 2Sth . — At dawn Shotbyl came down, and entreated Pethe- 
rick to remain a little longer, as it was his wish to bring to 
Petherick another important chief of the Nouaers, who had also 
grievances to relate. The promise to remain until noon was given, 
and Shotbyl went ofl* to seek his friend. We determined to give 
the fowls and animals a little liberty — the gazelle and his nurse — 
but we had our sheep only remaining, and these were sent on 
shore. 
Wood Ali, a hunter, and the corporal of the soldiers, started 
immediately when this resolve was made, in search of game. We 
attempted a stroll, but the ground was so marshy and treacherous 
that we occasionally sank to our knees in a morass; and so we 
returned to the Lady of the Nile (where the drying process was 
being carried on), and we got our lines and commenced fishing. 
