298 
NATIVE CURIOSITY. 
[chap. X. 
that provisions must be sent immediately. In all 
savage countries the most trifling demand requires 
much talking. They said that provisions were scarce, 
and that until Kamrasi should give the order, they 
could give no supplies. Understanding most thoroughly 
the natural instincts of the natives, I told them that I 
must send the canoe across to fetch three oxen that I 
wished to slaughter. The bait took at once, and several 
men ran for the canoe, and we sent one of our black 
women across with a message to the people that three 
men, with their guns and ammunition, were to accom¬ 
pany the canoe and guide three oxen across by swim¬ 
ming them with ropes tied to their horns. These were 
the riding oxen of some of the men that it was neces¬ 
sary to slaughter, to exchange the flesh for flour and 
other supplies. 
Hardly had the few boatmen departed, than some 
one shouted suddenly, and the entire crowd sprang to 
their feet and rushed towards the hut where I had left 
Mrs. Baker. For the moment I thought that the hut was 
on fire, and I joined the crowd and arrived at the door¬ 
way, where I found a tremendous press to see some 
extraordinary sight. Every one was squeezing for the 
best place ; and, driving them on one side, I found the 
wonder that had excited their curiosity. The hut 
being very dark, my wife had employed her solitude 
during my conference with the natives in dressing her 
hair at the doorway, which, being very long and 
blonde, was suddenly noticed by some natives—a 
shout was given, the rush described had taken place, 
and the hut was literally mobbed by the crowd of 
savages eager to see the extraordinary novelty. The 
Gorilla would not make a greater stir in London streets 
than we appeared to create at Atada. 
The oxen shortly arrived; one was immediately 
killed, and the flesh divided into numerous small 
portions arranged upon the hide. 
Blonde hair and white people immediately lost their 
attractions, and the crowd turned their attention to 
