CHAPTER V 
West Coast of Africa—Nimbi War palaver—Sacrifice Island— 
The fight—The Island of Ascension—Rollers—Turtle-turn- 
ing—Wide-awake Fair—St. Helena—Longwood—Dinizulu 
—A huge Tortoise. 
‘* Where man tarries man must slay.” 
NE day news came to Calabar that 
the natives of Nimbi and the sur- 
rounding villages had risen and 
attacked Akassa, the head station of the Niger 
Company, which is situated on the sea at one of 
the mouths of the Niger River. There had been 
friction for some time past, owing to differences 
between the Company and native chiefs. 
Sir Claude had summoned the paramount 
chief to come and state his grievances, and ere 
long this worthy arrived in a big war canoe, 
sixty feet or so long, a big gun in the bows, and 
some forty paddlers on each side. Small pennant 
flags ornamented the vessel, which made a 
brave show as it arrived at Brass for the palaver. 
The gist of the chief’s remarks was that he had 
no palaver with the great white Queen, but for 
the Niger Company he had a wholesome con- 
tempt. 
The ultimate result of the discontent was an 
56 
