BRACKISH WATER. 
393 
Chap. XXIV.—B.P.] 
excepting the Kama, although it also is famous for 
its sudden windings. There is another point in which 
the Blewfields resembles the Kama, viz. the saltness of 
the water, which is brackish for a considerable distance 
from the sea. I was quite ignorant of this until just after 
passing the rock mentioned above, when, thinking 
about my morning ablutions, I remarked how very blue 
and deep the water looked. It then struck me that it 
had in no respect the appearance of fresh water. The 
tin mug was immediately put into requisition, and sure 
enough the water turned out to be quite salt. I 
upbraided the men for not having told me of this fact, 
so that I might have provided some fresh water to 
drink, as I did not care for beer or wine so early in 
the morning, but I got no satisfaction from any of 
them; my preference for water was certainly not in 
accordance with their taste, and my not having any 
water was, no doubt, my own fault; although they 
did not exactly say so. They had not forgotten to 
bring a jar-full for themselves, an application to 
which, however, only served to show how thirsty they 
had been in the night; for, it was empty. 
I have had considerable experience in travelling both 
with Negro and Carib creoles, and I can safely assert 
that if the traveller looks for the slightest attention or 
consideration on their part, he will be wofully mis¬ 
taken ; they have to take care of themselves, and others 
must do the same. They never think of doing any¬ 
thing unless distinctly ordered, except it be something 
for their own advantage. For instance, when I first 
employed these men, I used to furnish the provisions for 
