242 DEMAND FOR PRESENTS. 



She asked me if she was to take it back ; to which 

 I replied in the affirmative. " Oh ! but," she said, 

 " it is the king's ivory, and you ought to make 

 good, very good trade, and give him most for 

 ivory." 



However, this would not do, and I invited 

 her to take a little cold beef; but she disap- 

 proved of its being cooked in our fashion, and 

 she was only induced to partake of a little when 

 I had cut it into small pieces for her and mixed 

 with it a quantity of Cayenne pepper. It was 

 very amusing to see her awkward attempts to 

 use a knife and fork. 



When she found I would not give more than 

 I had offered her for the ivory, she accepted 

 it. Every time she paid us a visit, she was ac- 

 companied by five or six of the king's daughters 

 and several eunuchs, all of whom, including her- 

 self, expected a present before returning. 



There is really no end to giving presents to 

 these people. Her mother and several eunuchs 

 had accompanied her this morning ; and although 

 the latter had already received several presents, 

 they still continued their visits in expectation of 

 receiving more. Whatever presents either they 

 or the king's daughters receive, are all given up 



