VISIT FROM THE KING. 429 



brought from Fernando Po, unfortunately fell 

 down the hatchway, and fractured two of his 

 ribs. 



The 5th of August was a very sultry day, and 

 our men were engaged in cutting wood. Ac- 

 cording to our expectations, the king of the vil- 

 lage off which we were lying came on board. 

 He was an elderly person, with a stout frame of 

 body. Under two tobes, in which he was dressed, 

 he wore another of striped silk, but of this only 

 the sleeves were visible. A pair of Houssa 

 trousers, the seat of which reached to the ground, 

 covered the lower part of his person. He was 

 accompanied by his son, a fine-looking young 

 man, who was desirous to hear the " palaver " 

 with the white men. After the usual compli- 

 ments had passed on both sides, inquiries were 

 made respecting the person who had defrauded 

 Mr. Lander. The king answered, that he had 

 gone to another village. Mr. Lander perceived 

 the evasion, and in a peremptory tone demand- 

 ed his surrender, threatening at the same time 

 to destroy the town unless his request was im- 

 mediately complied with. A canoe was then des- 

 patched for the chief of Fundykee, who shortly 

 after made his appearance, attended by his slave, 



