THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 259 



apparent emotion to the enumeration of the horrors of the sys- 

 tem, had deliberately offered him his son his only son in 

 exchange for a spade ! and Baker adds that this young niggo" 

 knave of spades was warranted to remain always hungry! 



A WONDERFUL ENTERTAINMENT. 



BAKER had tried every argument possible to convince Kabba 

 Rega that nothing would bring peace and prosperity to his coun- 

 try so quickly as commercial intercourse with Arabian merchants, 

 who had many beautiful and excellent things to exchange for 

 ivory. But argument was never very effective with negroes, 

 even in a state of civilization, and much less among savages. 

 Therefore, to convince the king, resort had to be made to some- 

 thing that would excite his admiration. This Baker accomplished 

 by carefully arranging to show, with all possible advantage, all the 

 various articles he had brought with him for the purpose of intro- 

 ducing legitimate barter, such as tin plates, crockery, looking- 

 glasses, knives, Indian scarfs, handkerchiefs, blankets of bright 

 colors, clocks, tin whistles, and an immense assortment of toys, 

 all of which delighted the king amazingly, and he immediately 

 wanted the entire stock. Among other things was a magnetic 

 battery which was explained to him. The king at once ordered 

 all his chiefs to submit to a shock, at the same time telling Baker 

 to give it to them strong, and as the savages writhed under the 

 powerful current he fairly roared with laughter. But nothing 

 could induce him to receive a shock himself. 



He now requested permission to see the private apartments of 

 Baker and his wife, and he and four of his chiefs and the inter- 

 preter were admitted. The first exclamation upon entering the 

 room was one of suprise, "Wah! Wah ! " and Kabba Rega 

 and his chiefs covered their mouths with one hand, according to 

 their custom when expressing astonishment. 



The lar^e looking-glasses were miracles. Kabba Rega discov- 



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ered a great number of Kabba Regas in the endless reflections of 



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the two opposite mirrors. This was a great wonder and attracted 

 particular attention. It was then discovered that every person 

 was multiplied in a similiar manner. This was of course " cojoor" 



