LIVINGS TONI A — BLANTYRE— QUILLIMANE. 415 
been many and varied ; but this last unlooked-for 
experience put every former affliction entirely in the 
shade. 
Even the most sombre scenes and the saddest experi¬ 
ences have comical sides, and in this instance I remem¬ 
bered the appearance of the odd creature with the red 
umbrella. Disappointment had not been wanting in its 
share of comedy. When I stepped ashore I proceeded 
with the greatest confidence towards the brilliant 
EGYPTIAN GOOSE ON MIMOSA THEE. 
umbrella, being fully convinced that it was the grateful 
shelter of some Christian divine, but on nearing the 
emblem of civilisation I found a very black and sorrow¬ 
ful-looking individual under the tattered and torn 
gingham. 
This melancholy mortal could speak a few words of 
broken English, so that when I inquired where the white 
men were, he had said ; 
“ Veree seek contry. All dead, all gone !” 
When I with a slight difficulty explained that I 
