CHAPTER IV.

Desire of natives for schools-Ideas of the Supreme Being-Dr. Savage's jour ney to Deneh-Curious illustration of superstitions-Sassa Wood-Nallicott Incident on the river-Oracle of Grand Devil at Hedia-King's hospitality-Heathen customs.

DR. SAVAGE returned to Mt. Vaughan, quite encouraged by the friendly feeling which had been evinced by the people, and their repeated requests for the establishment of schools. In subsequent excursions in other directions, he found the desire for instruction universally prevalent. It is true that this desire arose from no sense of their moral and religious degradation, for, having no idea of sin as an offence against God, they could have no consciousness of the need of the Gospel. Although acknowledging a Supreme Being, called Gnisuah, the Africans have no conception of his character and attributes. He is regarded by them as the Creator, but not as the Governor of the universe. This they seem to regard as given up to the dominion of the prince of darkness, who is the sole object of their worship. The whole aim of their religious ceremonies seems to be to turn away the wrath of this dreaded being; and their lives are passed in continual fear of his malign influences. The existence of subordinate evil spirits is also acknow

ledged, and these share their superstitious reverence and fear. But while indifferent to the glad tidings of the heralds of salvation, they cannot but see and acknowledge the superiority of the Europeans; and desire, as they express it in their own vague manner, to "sabby book," that they may be “fine like white man." They wish," says Dr. Savage, "to know the white man's God, because they think by so doing they shall become the white man's equal: and this is encouragement to missionary effort. This is a door-a door openedthrough which the light of the Gospel may be brought to strike upon their benighted minds."

The journey, of which some account is given above, was made in April, 1837. The following month, Dr. Savage pursued his inquiries to Deneh, a town situated on the Cavalla river, about forty miles from its mouth, and the same distance from Cape Palmas. A few extracts from his journal, on this occasion, will serve to throw additional light upon the manners and customs of the people.

"May 17th, 1837,-Embarked, this morning, about half past ten o'clock, upon Sheppard's Lake, for 'Grahway Point,' accompanied by Mr. T. and the usual complement of Kroomen. Cool and pleasant-the thermometer standing at 78 degrees in the shade-arrived at Grahway, and found the inhabitants in great commotion from the following cause: A thunder storm had occurred two nights before, during which a house was burnt. Such an event, seen through the medium of superstition, could be the result of nothing short of witchcraft. Hence, according to the usual custom, a consul

tation was held with the Devil,' or G and an accusation brought against one of ber. The charge was that of calling do from heaven, and maliciously consuming an unoffending citizen! He confessed hi in doing so, implicated two others as his ab result was, as usual, the administration water.' It is supposed to be very poisono not be so, however, for the great quantity destroy life, proves that it is but moderatel The bulk of fluid itself, would be suffici cases, to produce death. It is, howeve of death to thousands in this heathen land.

"The man who confessed, had take before our arrival, and having escaped its was now going at large through the town. principal actor in this scene, if he really man capable of doing what had been cha him. His reply was, "spose him no do hi say yes, when he know it be sassy wood pal I no tink so." They have another cust hope, proved the means of arresting all far ings in this diabolical affair. It is this.

of distinction arrive at the time, the crimin to an escape. Being viewed in this ligh have reason to believe that I was the mea one of the two implicated, from a cruel dea

"The 'red water' here referred to, is decoction made from the bark of a tree, laurel,) and administered as a test of guilt in accusations of crime. In a concentrated

powerful narcotic, and in larger quantities, an emetic. The idea involved in the administration is, that a spirit accompanies the draught, and searches the heart of the suspected individual for his guilt. If he be innocent, the spirit returns with the fluid in the act of ejection, but if guilty, it remains to do more surely the work of de struction."

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Dr. Savage passed the first night of his journey at Nallicott, a town about three miles from the mouth of the Cavalla; and gives the following account of an incident which occurred the next morning. "We left Nallicott in two canoes, our Kroomen keeping time, with their paddles, to one of their rude, but not unpleasant songs. We had not proceeded far, when the cry of Snake in the tree!' Snake in the tree!' was heard, and a serpent was discovered on a branch directly over our heads. Every arm was now exerted to the utmost, and our frail bark literally darted from beneath our dan gerous foe. The feeling excited by this occurrence had no sooner subsided, than another cry was heard,—' Snake crosses the river and another was seen wending his way to the opposite side. These reptiles are objects of great dread to the Africans. Their bite is said to be fatal. Their habit is to ascend an overhanging tre and suddenly dart into the passing canoe. When this happens the natives invariably abandon it.

"A highly attractive object to my New England eye, was 'maize, so frequently seen upon the banks of this river; and another, no less reviving my southern associations, was rice; both of which are produced here in perfection.

"We arrived at Hedia at 12 o'clock. Grand Devil Town, from the fact that G Place is within its limits, and that here, priest who performs the ceremonies attendin of inquiry. This town may be called the Western Africa; the Grand Devil Place, its of ing in very much the same relation to the as Delphi, in ancient Greece, to that count often made inquiries respecting the degree which this imposture has upon the minds of and have discovered that, among the older o garded with feelings of mystery and revere hold upon the younger, is more feeble. It s same purposes as the oracle of olden time failure in matters of high moment are divin accomplishment of a given desire, either p

vate, secured."

We interrupt the course of the Dr's. J to introduce some further account of the san wards given by another missionary.*

"The shrine of the oracle, as I have b by those who visited it, is a large perpen with a cavity in the centre, from which or fissure to the top. The priest secr within this cavity, and the fissure serves as of communication. When all things are colloquy something like the following ensues "Priest. Well, you no come here for w did you?

"Answer. No!

* Rev. Mr. Henning.