AFRICAN EXPLORERS OF TIIE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 199 
loud breathings, that we might not hear him. How 
ridiculous, yet how natural is this vanity ! He made 
other unavailing attempts to dance, and also made, an 
attempt to sing, but nature would not second his efforts, 
and his weak piping voice was scarcely audible. The 
singers, dancers, and musicians, continued their noisy 
mirth, till we were weary of looking at and listening to 
ABANDONED SLATES. 
them, and as bedtime was drawing near, we desired 
them to depart, to the infinite regret of the frivolous 
but merry old chief.” 
On the 22nd October the explorers left Egga, firing 
a parting salute of three musket-shots. A few miles 
further down, a sea-gull flew over their heads, a sure 
sign that they were approaching the sea, and with it, 
it appeared all but certain, the end of their wearisome 
journey. 
