CHAPTER VII. 
RETURN TO THE RIVER. 
ARLY on the last morning in March 
we roused the Kru-men; they were 
eager as ourselves to leave the “bush,” 
and there was no delay in loading and 
launching the mission-boat Forteune, Azfzeh, 
and Asunye were there to bid me God-speed, and 
Hotaloya did not fail to supply a fine example of 
Mpongwe irresolution. 
That “ sweet youth ” had begged hard during the 
last week that I would take him to Fernando Po ; 
carpenters were wanted for her Majesty’s con¬ 
sulate, and he seemed to jump at the monthly pay of 
seven dollars—a large sum in these regions. On 
the night before departure he had asked me for 
half a sovereign to leave with his wives, and he 
made me agree to an arrangement that they should 
receive two dollars per mensem. In the morning I 
had alluded to the natural sorrow which his better 
