272 ALARM OF THE QUEEN. 



putting a sword to his throat.* He had pro- 

 mised, he said, to protect the white men, and he 

 most certainly would do so. 



The queen and her retinue remained a consi- 

 derable time on board ; and on their departure, 

 Abboka desired me to fire a few guns, which I 

 immediately complied with. The queen was 

 very much alarmed, and at the same time very 

 friendly. She refused to drink any rum unless 

 assured of my friendship. She gave me the 

 pleasing intelligence that there had been rain in 

 a village near Iddah. During the last week the 

 weather had been duller than usual, and I be- 

 lieve there had been rain among the Kong moun- 

 tains, which are plainly discernible from our 

 anchorage. 



On Tuesday, March 18th, the carpenter was 

 again convalescent, and engaged in mounting 

 two one-pound swivels, one at each gangway. 



In the morning of the next day the queen 

 came on board, bringing with her two teeth 

 weighing fifty pounds. I found great difficulty 



* Placing a naked sword or knife to the throat, is looked 

 upon as the strongest proof of innocence, and the most so- 

 lemn form of oath they can administer. In this manner the 

 king is sworn ; or, sometimes, on the point of a poisoned 

 arrow. 



