108 EXrEDlTION INTO 



quickly transferred from my Indian sleeping- draA\e]'s to 

 his own neck^ the tassels dangling* in front j a red woollen 

 iiioht-cap was drawn over his bald pate^ and a comforter 

 over his shoulders^ and he repeatedly desired the inter- 

 preters to explain that " he liked all and everj^thing !" He 

 crawled through the waggons, and diligently rummaged 

 in every corner for beads, of which he frequently spoke. 

 On this most important topic with all savages, he was 

 particularly urgent j he said he liked every colour and 

 size, sending at the same time to his seraglio for a vast 

 variety, that we might distinctly comprehend his wishes 

 on the subject. With the greatest reluctance, he at last 

 prevailed upon himself to part Avith a single grain of each 

 colour, as a sample to guide our selection when Ave should 

 next visit him, and having gained this victory over his uig'- 

 gard nature, he repeated several times significantly, that 

 we " now knew exactly what he wanted." The visit Avas 

 a very long one : the king begged that we would publish 

 to the Avhite traders in the colony, his anxiety to obtain 

 muskets and ammunition in barter for elephants' teeth. He 

 spoke also on various subjects that interested him, par- 

 ticularly respecting the productions of the Avhite men's 

 country. His eyes had repeatedly Avandered toAvards, and 

 latterly been riveted upon a coil of brass Avire, a portion 

 of Avhich protruded from the waggon, and before quitting 

 us, he darted suddenly upon it, grinning* Avith triumph, and 

 bearing it along Avith him Avitli the greatest exultation. 



In the evening, as his numerous herds of cattle Avere 

 returning from pasture, the king gave us a proof of the 

 munificence of his nature, by selecting* tAvo of the Avorst 

 oxen and a toothless coav, of Avhich he begged our accep- 

 tance. We had repeatedly introduced the subject of cat- 

 tle, bringing to his notice the miserable condition of our 

 own teams, and hinting an expectation that he would recruit 



