THE KING OF RABBAH. 75 



wore : I replied in the negative ; when he im- 

 mediately asked, " Why did you not bring some 

 of the same cloth, buttons, and lace as you wear 

 yourselves ?" But, after telling him that all trade 

 was suspended until the palaver or dispute was 

 settled, I took my leave. He sent me a goat, 

 the only return he has made for all the valuable 

 presents he has received from us. 



This was the third or fourth time I had been 

 to demand payment for the goods, and I was 

 very apprehensive that all my efforts would 

 prove unsuccessful : but we were soon to see 

 whether the cowries were forthcoming. 



On leaving the king's presence, a man ran after 

 me, asking me to purchase a leopard's skin. When 

 I reached our house, I found that two teeth had 

 been purchased : we had not purchased any ivory 

 before for several days : I knew this was done to 

 induce us to remain. 



On going on board, I found five or six Arabs 

 engaged in trading ; but on the approach of the 

 king's people, they discontinued. We got all the 

 goods on board in the evening, and our people 

 determined to wait no longer, or subject our- 

 selves further to a swindling transaction. — We 

 heard very loud noises on shore, which continued 

 the whole night. 



