After sunset the
sandflies retire, and the mosquito sounds her hideous trump; as
has been said, however, Pongo-land knows how to receive her.
Chapter VII.
Return to the River.
Early on the last morning in March we roused the Kru-men; they
were eager as ourselves to leave the "bush," and there was no
delay in loading and the mission-boat. Forteune, Azizeh, and
Asunye were there to bid me God-speed, and Hotaloya did not fail
to supply a fine example of Mpongwe irresolution.
That "sweet youth" had begged hard during the last week that I
would take him to Fernando Po; carpenters were wanted for her
Majesty's consulate, and he seemed to jump at the monthly pay of
seven dollars--a large sum in these regions. On the night before
departure he had asked me for half a sovereign to leave with his
wives, and he made me agree to an arrangement that they should
receive two dollars per mensem. In the morning I had alluded to
the natural sorrow which his better semi-halves must feel,
although the absence of groaning and weeping was very suspicious,
and I had asked in a friendly way, "Them woman he make bob too
much?"
"Ye', sar," he replied with a full heart, "he cry too much.
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