240 THE king's fool. 



jester, a short, broadfaced, large-mouthed, good- 

 humoured-looking black, habited in a most capa- 

 cious tobe, and bearing a staff as an emblem of 

 authority, was performing all kinds of ludicrous 

 antics : he spread out his wide tobe, and stand- 

 ing on one leg, with the other elevated almost as 

 high as his head, twirled round like a top, at the 

 same time emitting a sound resembling the whis- 

 tle of a monkey. Everything bore an appear- 

 ance of merriment and good-humour ; and my 

 own people, not even excepting Jowdie my drum- 

 mer, joined in the dance. 



I ordered a few thousand cowries to be given 

 to the musicians for beer, and proceeded to the 

 landing-place, having occasion to go on board. 

 On my return on shore, an immense concourse 

 of spectators had assembled to view the proces- 

 sion. The king presented me with fifty yams 

 and two goats ; the queen, with one. His ma- 

 jesty told me I might send for a bullock — as 

 a remuneration, I suppose, for the carpet. 



On the 29th of January, the carpenter was 

 able to do a little duty. Sent the Kroomen 

 away early to shoot a bullock : about noon 

 they returned, having killed a fine cow. 



Kings and princes in Africa are not ashamed 



