334 SAVU ISLAND CHAP XIV 
that company, who was the only white man residing upon 
that island. A letter was accordingly despatched immedi- 
ately, and after some hours’ waiting, answered by the man 
in person, who assured us with many civilities that we 
were at liberty to buy of the natives whatever we pleased. 
He, as well as the king and several of his attendants, ex- 
pressed a desire of coming on board, provided, however, that 
some of our people might stay on shore; on which two were 
left. 
About two o'clock they arrived; our dinners were ready, 
and they soon agreed to dine with us. On sitting down, 
however, the king excused himself, saying that he did 
not imagine that we who were white men would suffer him 
who was black to sit down in our company. A compliment, 
however, removed his scruples, and he and his prime 
minister sat down and ate sparingly. During all dinner- 
time we received many professions of friendship from both 
the king and the European, who was a native of Saxony, by 
name Johan Christopher Lange. Mutton was our fare: the 
king expressed a desire to have an English sheep, and as we 
had one left it was presented to him. Mynheer Lange then 
hinted that a spying-glass would be acceptable, and was im- 
mediately presented with one. We were told that the 
island abounded in buffaloes, sheep, hogs, and fowls, all 
which should be next day driven down to the beach, and we 
might buy any quantity of them. This agreeable intelli- 
gence put us all into high spirits, and the liquor went about 
fully as much as Mynheer Lange or the Indians could bear. 
They, however, expressed a desire of going away before they 
were quite drunk. They were received upon deck, as they 
had been when they came on board, by the marines under 
arms. The king wished to see them exercise, which they 
accordingly did, and fired three rounds much to his Majesty’s 
satisfaction, who expressed great surprise, particularly at 
their so quickly cocking their guns. Dr. Solander and I 
went ashore in the boat with them: as soon as we put off 
they saluted the ship with three cheers, which the ship 
answered with five guns. 
