A MEDIATOE. 
149 
was on shore, also a present from him, and our men speedily 
slaughtered it. 
Kon-dit said that there was a feud between some traders and 
himself. These traders have stations in different parts of the 
country. Kon-dit admitted that he had often harassed them, and 
they retaliated. He plundered the Kytch of their cattle ; and 
the Kytch, in conjunction with the traders, plundered him. He 
said, I am afraid to meet the traders. They are brown men, 
that go on their knees several times a day, and now and then 
press their heads on the ground. They are bad men, and steal our 
children to make slaves of them.^^ He now wished for peace, and 
requested that the Consul would be a mediator for him. The pro- 
mise given, Petherick was anxious to be off, as the breeze was tempt- 
ing. The small boat having returned with the bullock cut up, the 
interview terminated, and with assurances of good faith, we again 
sailed after pulling the chiefs on shore. 
Towing in the afternoon. As the crew were conveying the rope to 
the reeds, a portion of a large fish was drifting past them; they 
seized it and brought it on board. Blood was still flowing from it : 
a crocodile must have snapped it in two but a few moments before. 
Petherick measured it ; the girth round the shoulders was two feet 
and a half. 
Pour boats sailed swiftly down stream ; time only to exchange a 
few words, All well ? ” 
The new moon seen : she was due last night, but the atmosphere 
was too thick to observe her. A repetition of the good wishes usual 
on the occasion ; the men had a grand supper, and their hilarity 
was infectious. 
Friday, May 30/7^. — The two boats came up during the night ; 
