UNEXPECTED SUCCESS. 107 



miles long, irregularly built of mud, with the 

 passages inconveniently narrow. 



On the following day, messengers were sent for 

 the cowries due from the king's son ; but, to our 

 surprise, we found that he had decamped, and 

 that the old monarch knew nothing of the affair 

 between his son and us. It was very annoying 

 to be cheated and laughed at every hour ; but we 

 had no remed}'^, and resolved on making another 

 trial. We got under weigh, and laid the steamer 

 as near to the town as we could ; and the inter- 

 preters, with Jowdie and some others, were sent 

 on shore to the old Mallam v/ith a threatening 

 message. An immense number of people were 

 assembled, many of whom were armed. The 

 decks were cleared, the guns loaded, and every 

 preparation made in case the natives should at- 

 tack our party ; but in a short time we had the 

 satisfaction of seeing the interpreters return, 

 bringing with them six large bags of cowries, 

 with a dash of a goat and some yams. This in 

 some measure repaid us for our want of success 

 at Rabbah : we had at length obtained payment, 

 and had not been duped by the natives. At 

 night we beat the drum, and indulged the Kroo- 

 men with some beer and a dance upon the decks ; 



