The Port Folio, by Oliver Oldschool. Hall's 2nd Ser

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1826 Excerpt: ...by a loud exclamation, he struck him a blow which made all his followers tremble. He instantly asked, If one twice as large would not be better? I said Yes; but it would be twice as dear.-- By G! said he, if one thousand dollars would purchase it, it would be cheap. '--Denham, p. 85. The major very adroitly presented the box to the Sheikh, and thus advanced atoncc to the highest degree of intimacy and favour with him. This circumstance Denham turned to imdiate advantage, by obtaining permission to visit the Tchad, which lies about fifteen miles eastward from Kouka. He observed ' evident proofs of its overflowings and recedings near the shores; but beyond was an expanse of waters as far as the eye could reach east and south-east.' The lake produces fine mullet, in great abundance, which is easily captured, and almost as easily cooked; a stick is run through the mouth of the fish and quite along the belly to the tail: this stick is then stuck in the ground, with the head of the fish downwards, and inclined towards the fire; and by turning them constantly by the tail, they ate most excellently dressed. Great numbers of elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes, were seen in the neighbourhood of the lake; but it is infested by such myriads of mosquitoes, and other venomous insects, that it is scarcely possible for man or beast to remain long on its immediate borders. Had it not been for this intolerable nuisance, Denham says that as he pursued the course of the water he saw spots where he could wiih delight have pitched his tent for a week. Some of the villages through which he passed were quite new, and occupied by emigrants from Kenemboo, than whom, ' he says, I never saw handsomer or bettef formed people.' On this o...