INFORMED OF HOSTILE INTENTIONS. 275 



buted among the Iddah traders. For some time 

 back, I had frequently been told that the cowries 

 brought from Eboe market are those taken from 

 Mr. Lander ; and it was rumoured that the na- 

 tives who plundered that gentleman belong to a 

 town named Hyammah, lying on the other side of 

 Eboe. I had also been informed, and I have no 

 reason to doubt the statement, that King Obie 

 had had dealings with the plunderers, and shared 

 in the booty. On the last visit but one that I 

 paid the king, he informed me that Obie actually 

 planned the robbery ! The town of Hyammah, 

 I am told, is very large, and the natives have 

 canoes on a very large scale. 



I received information that the natives of 

 Eboe were preparing to attack and plunder the 

 Alburkah on her way down the river ; and my 

 informer advised me, as soon as the river was 

 high enough, to get under weigh, without ac- 

 quainting any one with my intention, or that it 

 was the wish of Abboka and his sons ; — that I 

 should reach the sea-side in safety ; and that 

 when the ship came up the river a third time, 

 she should have moi^e men. It was a source 

 of satisfaction to find that, owing to the rains 

 up the country, the river began to rise about 



T 2 



