doubt,
of finding out the thieves. A man, having the appearance of a priest,
next harangued the whole body: each party in succession sang a war-song,
the chiefs going on one, and the men on both knees. Each party now
marched three times round a space which described a circle; after which,
those under Chameleon suddenly started off at full speed, and were
immediately followed by Cut-throat and his party, to the boundary of Hay
River. The stragglers of the former, in their flight, disencumbered
themselves of their yams, and calabashes of palm-wine, which the others,
on coming up, amused themselves with breaking to pieces. Thus ended this
curious specimen of war-like movements, which might appropriately be
called the Battle of the Calabashes; and is sufficient to prove that a
system of organization exists among the people, and confirms our former
opinions on this subject: for, on our first landing at Baracouta, we
perceived they had guards regularly stationed to watch and follow our
movements. This system, I have some reason to believe, extends itself
into the heart of the country, for, during my visit in the interior, I
was sensible the people were running about at all hours of the night,
ready for action. This may probably be the result of necessity, as the
different tribes, if we are to judge from the numerous large scars in
various parts of the body, are evidently engaged in frequent warfare
with each other.

_Tuesday, 27_.--Mr. Jeffery held a market to-day, at the village near
the beach; but an old chief, who had been named Bottle-nose, was
apparently, out of humour, probably in consequence of the affair at the
border-market the day before.

_Wednesday, 28_.--At the conclusion of the market, which was held at the
Bottle-nose village to-day, a party of chiefs came hallooing after Mr.
Jeffery, at the moment of his leaving the shore, but he did not offer to
return. They then followed along the beach in the direction of his boat,
until they nearly reached Hay River. He now perceived they held
something in their hands, which they gave him to understand, by signs,
was intended for him. This induced him to pull for the shore again, when
he found they had brought back the unfortunate bill-hook that had been
carried away on the preceding Monday: the men who had stolen it,
however, were not forthcoming. Mr. Jeffery conducted them to Clarence,
where an interview took place between Captains Owen and Harrison, and
some of the ch