A COMET. 
193 
At seven p.m. a comet was seen and distances observed : from 
Benetnasch, in Ursa Major, 10° 3'; Has Alhagne, in Opliinci, 30° 
53' ; and Alpbacca, in Coronse Borealis, 25° 44'. 
August 27th . — Neither negroes nor canoes forthcoming; all yes- 
terday we had wearily waited. Mussaad, at nine a.m., accompanied 
by only one man, again went to the village to inquire the reason. 
He not having returned at two p.m., fifteen men were sent to look 
after him ; and a few hours later, not hearing anything of either 
party, ten men more were dispatched, as we were growing uneasy. 
After sunset the whole party returned, when Mussaad came to our 
tent to relate his adventures. He said. 
On my arrival at Neot, I was told by a woman that her hus- 
band, the chief, was absent, in search of the fishermen who had 
carried oflP their canoes. Others remaining, she offered to conduct 
me to their huts, there to make my propositions to them. Accepting 
her offer, I soon had a large crowd gathered round me. I told 
them that unless canoes were brought for us, we must live on their 
corn-fields. This caused a great confusion between the fishermen 
and the agriculturists, the latter insisting that it was the duty of 
the former to boat us over, saying that they would not be ruined 
by the indolence of the fishermen. The fishermen refusing to be 
interfered with, a fight commenced, and when clubs were being 
thrown with passion and precision, I thought it prudent to retire 
whilst I was unmolested.^^ 
Augtist 2^th . — Finding it useless to remain, vainly hoping for the 
coming of the negroes, Petherick determined to strike tents and 
march to the village. At eleven a.m. all were in readiness; still 
we lingered, knowing that the negroes could observe what had been 
done, and that our encampment was broken up, they might even 
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