386 INTERVIEW WITH 



him that his friend Mr. Lander was waiting, 

 and that we were anxious to return. He then 

 rose, took me by the hand, and having led me to 

 his throne, began a conversation with his people, 

 and required from me what he could do for us. 

 My interpreter was desired to say, that in conse- 

 quence of Mr. Lander being ill, we were very 

 anxious to reach the steamers as early as possi- 

 ble ; that our men were tired, and if he would 

 allow us four pullaboys, he would render us a 

 great service ; and the presents which Mr. Lan- 

 der had promised him should be sent back by 

 the boys when the steamers returned. 



After two or three minutes' consideration, he 

 replied, " The boys no savy come back from that 

 far place where steamers live ;" to which I re- 

 plied, they would return in a month. He said he 

 would accompany me to the boat. He gave us 

 two goats, some fowls, and eight or nine mats. He 

 then invited me to take something to eat. Seeing 

 a great number of people in the yard looking on, 

 he ordered them all away, and in an instant not 

 one was to be seen. 



Shortly afterwards, Obie's two sons, fine 

 youths, about eighteen and twenty years of 

 age, entered the court, bringing in some stewed 



