152 DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH. 
" ill to our ears." It consisted in a constant re- 
petition of the words Sakere, Sakere, ho, ho ; to 
which they leaped, danced, and clapped their 
hands. Here Towrson found no gold, " nor any 
" good thing." The ground indeed is covered 
with luxuriant verdure, and the air filled with 
numerous birds ; guinea pepper, and other pro- 
ducts, might be procured in abundance ; but the 
people " be so wilde and idle, that they give 
" themselves to seek out nothing." He took his 
departure therefore in quest of more productive 
shores. Having touched at a village near the 
Castle, (the name given to Elmina, capital of the 
Portuguese settlements), the English began to 
trade. They were invited by the natives up into 
the country, but declined, suspecting treachery ; 
and accordingly, thirty Portuguese rushed out 
from ambush, and began a brisk fire upon them ; 
but they escaped to their boats without injury. 
At another place, they were decoyed on shore, 
and suddenly set upon by a body of natives ; but 
this assault proves to be in revenge of their 
having carried off, the preceding year, four Afri- 
cans, one of whom was son of the Grand Captain. 
Continuing their course, they at last found means 
to complete their lading of gold ; and having 
taken in ballast, immediately began their course 
homewards. 
