AFRICAN PROMISES. 229 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Articles of Commerce agreed on and signed. — Ceremony on 

 the occasion. — Procession of Females. — The Kings Fool. — 

 'Demand for Presents. — Stock of Trading Articles ex- 

 hausted. — Rains. — First Rumours of Landers Attack 



Cruelties of Attah. — Origin of an African War. — Further 

 Plots against the Vessel. — Precautions adopted. 



The queen had signified her intention of com- 

 ing on board for the purpose of trading, and to- 

 day, 25th of January, according to appointment 

 we expected her ; but she did not make her ap- 

 pearance, — proving that even the word of royalty 

 in Africa is unworthy of confidence. The wea- 

 ther was thick and foggy, with strong breezes 

 from the eastward. 



The next morning a messenger arrived, soon 

 after we had read prayers, with Mallam Catab's 

 respects, saying he was very sorry we had not 

 gone to Addacoodah, where there was abundance 

 of ivory to be had. This I did not doubt, and 



