HABITS OF THE OGATA.

277

On the 11th I went on a hunt, but killed only a mkago—a beautiful little monkey, whose head is crowned with a fillet of bright red hair. They are in great numbers in these woods. Coming home, I found near the water the hole or burrow of an ogata. This is a species of cayman which lives near pools, and makes a long hole in the ground with two entrances, in which it sleeps. and watches for prey. The ogata is a night-roving animal, and solitary in its habits. It scrapes this hole with its paws with considerable labor. It lives near a pool for the double reason, I imagine, that it may bathe, and because thither come deer, for whom it lies in wait in its hole. The negroes tell me that they rush out with great speed upon any wandering animal, and drag it into the hole to eat it. When they discover one of these holes they come with their guns-which are generally loaded with iron spikes and watch at one end, while a fire is built at the other entrance. When it becomes too hot, the ogata rushes out and is shot. I killed one, which proved to be seven feet long. It had great strength in its jaws, and very formidable teeth. Like the crocodile, its upper jaw is articulated, and is raised when the mouth is opened.

On the 13th I bought a few sticks of ebony, and one of the men brought me a piece of izomba meat. The izomba is a turtle. The meat is excellent; and when I inquired about the animal, I found reason to believe it a new species. The best way to take it is to watch for it on some of the islands in the lake, whither it goes to lay its eggs by night. I went out in a boat the same night, and we were so lucky as to turn one great turtle just as she was done laying. She had noticed us, silent as our approach was, and had nearly escaped. I found to my joy next morning that it was really a new species.

On the 14th I gave Shimbouvenegani two pieces of cotton cloth, some tobacco, and beads, and returned to Damagondai's town. Here I found a canoe from King Ranpano, to say that a vessel was on the coast by which I could send things to America if I wished. I determined to go down immediately and send some specimens off.

On our return to Damagondai's town, as we were paddling along, I perceived in the distance ahead a beautiful deer, looking meditatively into the waters of the lagoon, of which from time to time it took a drink. I stood up to get a shot, and we approach

278

CROCODILE AND DEER.

ed with the utmost silence. But, just as I raised my gun to fire, a crocodile leaped out of the water, and, like a flash, dove back again with the struggling animal in his powerful jaws. So quickly did the beast take his prey that, though I fired at him, I was too late. I do not think my bullet hit him. If it did, it struck some impenetrable part of his mail. I would not have believed that this huge and unwieldy animal could move with such velocity; but the natives told me that the deer often falls prey to the crocodile. Sometimes he even catches the leopard, but then there is a harder battle than the poor little deer could make.

In the afternoon news came that Oshoria, the king of a town. situated at the junction of the Anengue and Ogobay Rivers, intended to stop me on my way down and exact tribute for my passage. Poor King Damagondai was much troubled. He sent his brother down with a present of a plate, a mug, and a brass pan to propitiate him. I was very angry, and determined to put down Mr. Oshoria. We cleaned our guns, and I prepared my revolver; and next morning we set out without waiting for the king's brother's return, greatly to the dismay of these peaceable people.

When we came in sight of Guabuirri, Oshoria's town, I saw that some of my fellows began to show the white feather. I therefore told them I would blow out the brains of the first man who failed to fight to the death, at the same time pointing to my revolver as the intended instrument of death. They have a great respect for this wonderful revolver; and immediately answered me, "We are men.”

So we pulled up to the town. On the shore stood about one hundred and fifty fellows armed with spears and axes, led by ten men who had guns. I went immediately up to them, revolver in one hand and double-barreled gun in the other. At this piece of bravado they became very civil, and instead of firing at my party received us peaceably.

Damagondai's brother hurried down to meet me, and announced that there was no palaver. I was then led to where the quarrelsome Oshoria stood, whom I reproached for his conduct, telling him that if any body had been killed the palaver would have been on his head. He said he had been vexed that I did not stop to see him on my way up; and after making farther excuses, added, "Aoué olomé;" which means, "Thou art a man ;" an expression used in several ways, either to designate a smart man, or

THE TRIBE OF THE LAKE.

a rascal, or, in the best sense, a very accept it as an intended compliment.

brave man.

279

I was content to

I was presented with fruits and fowls, and we were presently the best of friends; and when I brought down a little bird which sat on a very high tree, they all declared I must have a very big shooting-fetich, and respected me accordingly.

Leaving there, we got back to Biagano without farther trouble. The people of the Ogobay and the Anengue are of the same tribe with the sea-shore Camma. They intermarry; their cus toms and superstitions are the same; their palavers are the same; and, though they are more peaceable, they have the will to be just as great rascals. The country back of the river-swamps is very rich in all manner of tropical products. The ebony is found in the hills; but to transport heavy substances twenty miles to the river or lake-shore, in a country where there are no roads, is too much trouble for these lazy fellows-for which reason very little is cut. The copal-tree is also found, as well as the Indiarubber vine. They raise sugar-cane in great quantities, yams, ground-nuts, plantains, manioc, and sweet potatoes. The chief commercial produce of the country at present is ivory, of which a small quantity is brought down every year.

In their religious notions they do not differ from their neighbors, the Fernand Vaz Camma, or indeed from the natives of this region generally. In Damagondai's town I was so fortunate as to become possessed of one of their idols or mbuitis. It is a mistake to suppose that these people worship their greegrees and fetiches. Wherever I have been I have found the head-man or chief town of each family in possession of an idol, which was worshiped by that family. This whole matter is kept so secret that, unless the traveler pays particular attention, he may live in a village for weeks and not know of this idol's existence. And for this reason some have asserted that they have no idols.

The family of King Glass, in Gaboon, has an idol which is several generations old, I am certain. So in Cape Lopez the reigning family has an ancient idol. Mention has been made before this of others. Damagondai's idol was a female figure, with copper eyes, and a tongue made of a sharp sword-shaped piece of iron. This explained her chief attributes: she cuts to pieces those with whom she is displeased. She was dressed in a Shekiani cloth, covering her from the neck down. She is said to speak, to walk, to