DIFFICULTY IN TRADING. 77 



his majesty how deeply we sympathised in his 

 afflictions. Osiman sent word that he felt our 

 kindness and was obliged to us, but that God 

 had taken his father away. He asked our mes- 

 senger Mina, " Why don't you stay with us, who 

 are your countrymen, and not go with the 

 Christian dogs and unbelievers ?" — " It is well 

 known," says he, " that in their own country 

 they eat black men, and dye red cloth with their 

 blood. Besides, they know nothing — not even 

 Allah (God) ; and after death, they are our slaves 

 in Paradise ! " 



Al Hadge, the messenger, had been on shore 

 all the night of Sunday ; and notwithstanding all 

 the promises made to us by the king, no cowries 

 arrived. His majesty wanted more goods, and 

 said that his people were collecting the cowries 

 round the country. He also sent to Mr. Lander, 

 to request of him to fire a few guns in memory 

 of his deceased father. 



The engineer reported that the cylinder had 

 a flaw in it, owing to rough usage on the night 

 of the 26th. This was a serious circumstance, 

 and prevented all thought of going further up 

 the river. We had intended going to Lybas, or 

 Lever, which is two or three days' journey higher 



