396 KIRREE PIRATES. 



remaining under water several seconds. In the 

 mean time, those in the canoe ahead of us, as soon 

 as they observed the natives of the other canoe 

 jump overboard, steered their canoe more in- 

 ashore. We continued on our course, and or- 

 dering our men to pull as fast as possible, 

 were favoured by a breeze, which luckily en- 

 abled us to get out of their sight in a short time. 

 The natives of this part of the country are 

 great pirates, frequently plundering those of the 

 small adjoining towns. It was impossible to 

 pass this spot without reflecting on the exposure 

 we were then subject to, and expecting that the 

 same disaster which had befallen Lander, if not 

 worse, might happen to us. The natives appear 

 to view the white men's presence in their country 

 with suspicion and distrust. 



In the afternoon a canoe came alongside of us, 

 with a brother of Abboka, King of Damuggoo, 

 and an eunuch of the King of Attah. The latter 

 was a fine-looking man of a most effeminate ap- 

 pearance ; he wore a small cap made in the shape 

 of a lady's morning cap without strings, a striped 

 tobe, with one of a darker colour underneath. 

 They stated that when Abboka heard that Mr. 

 Lander had departed to the sea-side, he was very 



