TRAVELS IN AFRICA 
83 
an opportunity of seeing this ourselves, but 
have heard it from so many, and with such 
corroborative exactness of description, that we 
have no doubt of its existence to a much greater 
extent of blind savage superstition than has 
been described to us. 
Immediately on our arrival, we sent to apprize 
the king, and requested to be informed at what 
hour he could receive our visit. We were, how- 
ever, told that he was then drunk, and could 
not be seen on business. 
Slatee Modiba arrived, bringing us a present 
of a fine bullock. He also told us the same 
story, but said he hoped the evening would find 
the king in a state to receive us. 
At length, about five in the afternoon, we 
went, accompanied by Mr. Burton, Lamina, and 
Sergeant Tuft ; the latter served as interpreter. 
We found his majesty (if we may so prostitute 
the title), seated on a low wooden stool, outside 
the walls of his house, surrounded by all the 
great men of the town, who, with himself, did 
not appear to have entirely recovered from the 
effects of their morning's debauchery. Having 
made him a small present, which it is the cus- 
tom of this country to do, previous to addressing 
the king on our business, we told him in as few 
words as possible, the object we had in view in 
travelling through the country, and the advan- 
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