s that no one could
or would explain the meaning of them to us. And I am inclined to
believe that in reference to the meaning of many things they were
themselves utterly ignorant.

Towards midnight the people had wrought themselves up to a frenzied
condition, and made so much noise that we could not sleep. In the midst
of the uproar Makarooroo, who we observed had been very restless all the
evening, rushed into our hut, exclaiming, "Massa! massa! come, save my
Okandaga! come quick!"

The poor fellow was trembling with anxiety, and was actually pale in the
face; for a distinctly discernible pallor overspreads the countenance of
the negro when under the influence of excessive terror.

Okandaga we had previously heard of and seen. She was, according to
African notions, an exceedingly pretty young girl, with whom our worthy
guide had fallen desperately in love. Makarooroo's education had done
much for him, and especially in regard to females. Having observed the
kind, respectful consideration with which the missionaries treated their
wives, and the happiness that seemed to be the result of that course of
conduct, he resolved in his own mind to try the experiment with one of
the girls of his own tribe, and soon after rejoining it paid his
attentions to Okandaga, who seemed to him the most modest and lovable
girl in the village.

Poor Okandaga was first amazed and then terrified at the strangely
gentle conduct of her lover, and thought that he meant to bewitch her;
for having never before been accustomed to other than harsh and
contemptuous treatment from men, she could not believe that Makarooroo
meant her any good. Gradually, however, she began to like this
respectful wooer, and finally she agreed to elope with him to the
sea-coast and live near the missionaries. It was necessary, however, to
arrange their plans with great caution. There was no difficulty in
their getting married. A handsome present to the girl's father was all
that was necessary to effect that end, and a good hunter like Makarooroo
knew he could speedily obtain possession of his bride, but to get her
removed from her tribe and carried to the coast was quite a different
affair. While the perplexed negro was pondering this subject and
racking his brains to discover a way of getting over the difficulty, our
arrival at the village occurred. At once he jumped to the conclusion
that somehow or other he should accomplish his object through our
ass