UNPLEASANT INTRUDERS. 367 



others drying clothes, and the Kroomen were 

 repairing the roof of the house, — in fact, the 

 scene reminded me of a gipsy halt ; when on a 

 sudden several voices exclaimed " A war-canoe ! 

 a war-canoe !" and on looking towards the next 

 town, named Bilbarrowkee, I observed a very 

 large canoe, the natives in it being all armed. 

 On approaching nearer, I ordered our men to 

 take their arms ; and they were in an instant 

 drawn up to receive our visitors. Mr. Lander 

 was unable to raise himself from his bed without 

 assistance. When within thirty yards of the 

 boat, taking Lilly the boy as interpreter, I ad- 

 vanced to meet them with a double-barrelled 

 fowling-piece in my hand, and armed with pis- 

 tols. Lilly hailed them, asked what they want- 

 ed, and desired them to go away. They re- 

 plied, that they wished to see the white men. I 

 desired him to tell them to go back and come in 

 a small canoe unarmed, and we would speak to 

 them. During this time some of our men were 

 placing the goods, &c. back into the boat ; while 

 about fourteen or fifteen, doubtful how matters 

 would turn out, were armed and prepared to 

 defend us had an attack been made. After look- 

 ing very cautiously around them, and seeing us 



