INTERVIEW WITH SEVEN NATIVES. 447 



but think it hard that we were to starve in the 

 midst of plenty. After offering a reasonable 

 price, we almost thought ourselves justified to 

 take that by force which we could not procure 

 by entreaties. 



As we proceeded through the town, we could dis- 

 cern a straggling native here and there peeping 

 at us ; but on our advancing near them, they re- 

 treated to their yards and houses. The sun being 

 very powerful, I went into the palaver-house, whi- 

 ther in a few minutes seven of the natives followed 

 me, armed with spears, knives, bows and arrows. 

 I was seated cross-legged, very composedly, when 

 they entered ; and after looking at me for a short 

 time, they went away, and their place was sup- 

 plied by others. Mina spoke to them, but they 

 either could not or would not understand him. 

 They put their hands in their ears, and by signs 

 intimated their ignorance of what he was saying. 

 After sitting a short time, one of the same men, 

 acquiring an intuitive knowledge of the language, 

 found that he could speak Houssa. We inti- 

 mated our wishes to trade for ivory, and pur- 

 chase provisions ; and to make them more clear- 

 ly understand us, we produced our cowries : 



