220 OUR MOTIVES SUSPECTED. 



usual time. The Kroomen, although natives of 

 the country, have been obliged to rest for hours 

 before they could resume their work : the engine 

 also has been a source of great uneasiness and 

 anxiety to me. 



The next day we were engaged in the selec- 

 tion of goods for the quarter-deck ; and on Sun- 

 day, 19th January, I visited the king and Abbo- 

 ka, who was unwell from diarrhoea : — he wished 

 me to give him medicine, and appeared anxious 

 to trade with us. The king likewise seemed 

 very friendly to us, and presented me with a fine 

 elephant's tooth. Abboka requested me to call 

 and see him on my retm'n as he was anxious to 

 have some palaver. Accordingly I did so on 

 my way from the king, and was much surprised 

 when he told me that the motives of our voyage 

 were suspected by a great many, who said that 

 we were spies and come to deprive them of their 

 country. 



I soon found that this report originated in an 

 innocent but indiscreet act of the clerk (Mr. 

 Brown), who one day, when riding near the 

 king's palaces, left his attendant, who had been 

 ordered to remain with him, and galloping 

 some distance into the country, had suddenly 



