ow brought me a large pumpkin-shell containing about a gallon of merissa, or native beer, which was most refreshing. He also brought a gourd-bottle full of honey, and an elephant’s tusk; the latter I declined, as ivory was not required.
We were now within six miles of Ellyria,made him put in an appearance, and by means of the humpback I explained to Tombe, the chief, that we wished to start the first thing in the morning, and that I would engage the humpback as interpreter. This was agreed upon, and I now had hopes of getting through Ellyria before the arrival of the Turks. My caravan having arrived, the interest first bestowed upon the horses, as being a new kind of animal, was now transferred to the camels. The natives crowded round them,when crossing the Bay of Biscay, exclaiming, “that they were the giraffes of our country.” They were amazed at the loads that they carried, and many assisted in unloading.
I noticed, however, that they stuck their fingers through the baskets to investigate the contents; and when they perceived twenty baskets full of beads, and many of copper bracelets–the jingling of which betrayed the contents–they became rather too eager in lending a helping hand; therefore I told the chief to order his men to retire while I opened one bag of beads to give him a present. I had a bag always in reserve that contained a variety of beads and bracelets, which obviated the necessity of opening one of the large baskets on the road. I accordingly made the chief happy, and also gave a present to the humpback. The crowd now discovered an object of fresh interest, and a sudden rush was made to the monkey, which, being one of the red variety from Abyssinia, was quite unknown to them. The monkey,each presented with a clean, being far more civilized than these naked savages,The device can keep power for several hours and charges, did not at all enjoy their society; and attacking the utterly unprotect
Related articles?