2S6 EMPHATIC SPEECH OF ATTAH. 



building in the town, with four men to work it. 

 The king was much pleased at this piece of in- 

 telligence, and spoke very highly in our favour, 

 and of the advantages likely to result from the 

 white men making Iddah a place for trade. 



The Mallams then entered into a discussion 

 which lasted a few minutes, each of them, as well 

 as every other attendant, kneeling at the king's 

 feet whenever they addressed him. 



The discussion being concluded, I proceeded 

 to sign my agreement, which was witnessed by 

 Mr. Brown ; after which, Attah, Abboka, and 

 the head Mallam signed the one drawn out for 

 them. While Abboka was swearing with one 

 hand on the Koran and the other on the paper, 

 he spoke to the following effect, with an energy 

 of expression which I have seldom seen in an 

 African : — " It was I who first brought white 

 men into the country, and Allah forgive me if I 

 did so for the purpose of injuring the king my 

 brother or any of my countrymen ! and if I have 

 ever tried to induce the white men to attack 

 my brother Attah in his town, kill me this mo- 

 ment — cut off my head ! I also affirm, that I 

 neither have done, nor ever will do the white 

 men, who are strangers in our country, any in- 

 jury whatever." 



