192 CONFERENCE WITH THE KING. 



I now stated that I was in want of canoes to 

 tow the ship up the river, and also of some Shea 

 butter for the engine. I likewise informed him 

 of the conduct of the chief who governed the 

 town where the vessel then was, how he had be- 

 haved respecting the bullock after detaining me 

 five days ; that in consequence of his refusing 

 me a bullock, the engine would not work ; and 

 that the poor white men were all sick from the 

 insalubrity of the climate. I told the king that 

 whatever number of men were sent, I would re- 

 munerate them for their trouble, and reward 

 their masters for their kindness. 



A long discussion was now carried on in the 

 presence of about nearly two hundred people. 

 The king then said that he had given that town, 

 Atchimary, to his brother Abboka, and though 

 partly situated in his dominions, and partly in 

 those of the king of Eboe, the generality of the 

 natives belonged to the latter sovereign. He 

 said that I was wrong in not taking a bullock, 

 and that if I had seized ten it would have been 

 perfectly right. 



I told him I would lighten the ship by taking 

 out of her the heavy goods ; when Attah said, 

 *' Oh, we will have the ship up, if she is carried 



