MR. HUTCHISON'S DIARY. 
403 
Monday, December 1. One of the King's nephews came to see 
me, but was terribly afraid to pass the man in irons who swore on 
the King, least he should swear that when the King killed him, he 
must also kill his nephew, which would cost a deal of gold ; for 
such is the sacredness of the law, that in that case the King must 
do it. I had a key of a door where I could privately let him out, 
without passing through the courts of the house, by which he gladly 
made his escape. This man has been no small annoyance, as no 
person of rank will venture to call on me, least they should be 
bi*ought into trouble by his swearing on their heads. 
Tuesday 2. The King to-day made a present of 10 periguins of 
gold to the Moors in town for their services, and they were to 
divide it themselves. This created no small altercation among 
them ; those belonging to the town wished to keep it all, and not 
give the Shereef Abraham any, who came from the banks of the 
Niger; as the King had that morning told him he wished him to 
accompany him to the war, he told them it was of no consequence, 
as he should not accompany the King unless he was looked on with 
the same degree of rank as Baba, as, indeed , he was superior from 
his knowledge, and belonging to Mahomet's family. On this they 
gave him three periguins, the same that Baba had : all were then 
pleased with their portion except onCj called Aboo, who only had 
10 ackies ; he consoled himself by making the usual exclamation, 
" God is great ! he never dies, he never sleeps,'' and said he left 
the palaver in his hands. 
Thursday 4. Apokoo paid me a visit to thank me for some 
medicine I had given him, being sick after his great custom ; he 
enquired if I heard that Fantee messengers were come to this 
place, I said no, but I expected them soon to take the King's 
fetish, as he wished them to do so, previous to his going to war ; 
he then told me that the King heard there were some on the path^ 
