266 MESSAGE TO THE KING. 



who would die rather than yield, was determined 

 to fight the guns to the very last. I told him to 

 show every respect to the king, but to be firm 

 and resolute, and to bring me back a correct 

 account. 



On his return, Mr. Brown stated that the 

 king came into the room where he was, dressed in 

 nothing but a country cloth. When Mr. Brown 

 delivered his message, he flatly denied the truth 

 of any conspiracy, and would have sent for 

 Gabbreducco, but was interrupted by Mr. B. 

 who said he came to see him, and not Gabbre- 

 ducco. But soon afterwards that individual en- 

 tering, the king said, " Gabbreducco, Sullikeen 

 Maghony says that you want me to make war 

 with him." Gabbreducco laughed and hung 

 down his head ; but the king said, that he must 

 come and swear to me and take maghony (poi- 

 son) to convince me of his innocence ; which Mr. 

 Brown dissuaded him from, saying that the 

 captain would shoot him if he saw him ! His 

 majesty evinced greater cordiality than usual to 

 Mr. Brown ; he sent a present of a scrivelloe of 

 ten pounds weight to me. 



I was still perplexed as to the truth of this affair 

 of Abboka. Whether the statement were true or 



