Davenport had also dug and planned out a fine garden, which he had
planted with seeds, but none had as yet made their appearance above the
ground.
The day after our return to the camp we were visited by two natives, who
were attracted towards us by the sound of the axe. They were crossing the
plain, and were still at a considerable distance when they observed
Davenport pointing a telescope, on which they stopped, but on my sending
a man to meet them, came readily forward. We were in hopes that we should
see our old friend in the person of one of them, but were disappointed;
nor would they confirm any of his intelligence, neither could they
recognise any of the fish in the different plates I had shewn him. In
truth, we could get nothing out of these stupid fellows; but, as we gave
them plenty to eat, they proposed bringing some other natives to taste
our mutton, on the following day; and, leaving us, returned, as they
said, with their father and brother, the latter a fine young lad. But
neither from the old man could we gather any information, as to the
nature of the country before us. These people were circumcised, like many
others we had seen, but were in no way disfigured by the loss of their
teeth or cuts. I can say as little for their cleanliness as for their
information, since they melted the fat we gave them in troughs, and drank
it as if it had been so much oil, emptying what remained on their heads,
rubbing the grease into their hair, and over their bodies.
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