188 DINNER AT THE PALACE. 



After a short time, some food was brought, 

 consisting of pounded yams, overspread with 

 palm-oil, and some fish highly seasoned with 

 pepper. There was also another dish, of stewed 

 fowl swimming in palm-oil and pepper. Some 

 water was also brought in a calabash, into which 

 the princesses dipped their fingers, and com- 

 menced an attack upon the former dish. For 

 my part, I quite enjoyed the palm-oil, yams, and 

 fish, and considered it a very excellent Christmas- 

 day's dinner. Several pots of colmtry beer were 

 then brought in, which had a sweet and agree- 

 able taste. The remains of the dishes were 

 given to the Kroomen and other attendants. 



Two of the king's daughters, very interesting- 

 looking girls, about six or seven years of age, 

 were desired by the queen to fan me ; but I 

 objected to it, saying that my own people would 

 do it. However, she would not be refused, say- 

 ing, I looked as if I were on fire, and the girls 

 would do it better than my own attendants. 



There was so much good nature about our 

 hostess, that I became quite at home, and enjoyed 

 a lively conversation, which was carried on by 

 means of our interpreter, Al Hadge, who spoke 

 a little English. He was obliged to tell all his 



