32 THE AFRICAN TRADER.

to get a full cargo of palm oil, though I would
rather have filled up without going into harbour at
all, for the climate, I own, is not the healthiest
possible, and we may chance to have a touch of
sickness on board.’

He spoke, however, in so unconcerned a way
that. I had no serious apprehensions on that
score.

I had not forgotten my promise to Mammy,
and had asked all the blacks I could manage to
speak to if they could tell me anything of Cheebo.
I need scarcely say that my question was received
with a broad grin by most of them. ‘ Plenty
Cheebos,’ was the general reply. ‘Dat black fel-
low Cheebo ; and dat, and dat, and dat Quamino,’
was added, when I said that such was the name of
the father of the Cheebo of whom I was in search,
but none of them answered the description of poor
Mammy’s son. Atlength I felt very much inclined
to give up my inquiries as hopeless.