thor--Geographical and
Meteorological Observations--Insubordination--A Man Overboard--Deserter
taken--Death of the Interpreter--Method of Fishing--Visitors from St.
Thomas--Ceremony of taking Possession of Fernando Po--Interview with a
Native Chief--Celebration Dinner--Indirect Roguery--Chief and his
Wife--Hospital near Point William--The Guana--Mistake at Sea--
Suggestions on the Slave-Trade--Fishing Stakes--Schooner on a Mud-flat

_Thursday, Nov. 15_.--Soon after landing this morning, I fell in with a
party of natives, with whom I shook hands, as usual, when a young
female, whom I had frequently met in the market-place, with her
parents, perceiving that I did not immediately recognize her as an old
acquaintance, with the most natural simplicity, placed my hand on her
bosom, in the presence of her relations and countrymen, who all laughed
heartily, and appeared to enjoy my astonishment very much. If, however,
any of us had ventured upon such a liberty of our own accord, the men
would have been highly indignant, for they were extremely jealous of
their women, and did not like us to shew them any marked attention, by
purchasing their articles first, or making them a present in preference
to themselves:--such a distinction, in contradiction to the usages of
civilized society, being considered derogatory by these savage lords of
the creation.

Matthew Elwood, the young man who had been sent into the interior,
returned to-day, and I am afraid without having derived much advantage
from his journey. I expect, however, an opportunity of adverting more
fully to its results at a future time. A quantity of bricks were landed
for the purpose of constructing a forge. The natives soon found out
that they possessed the property of sharpening their knives, and began
to shew a very eager desire to become possessed of them.

_Friday, 16_.--The natives have crowded upon us in such numbers, that
we have taken up the stakes which enclosed the market, with the
intention of holding it in future without the boundary line. Several
unpleasant occurrences have taken place, partly the fault of our own
people, who have been criminal enough to sell their tools, and partly
of the natives, who have been eager to purchase them. The following
are, perhaps, the average terms on which our barter has been conducted:
an axe would purchase a sheep, or a goat; and three or four inches of
iron hoop, from two to four fowls, from eight to twelve yams, or tw