206 
DISAGREEABLE MUSIC. 
on the head of the “ pulla boys” or slaves, about forty 
in number, graduated in size from each extreme of the 
frail bark; the stoutest men being near the centre, wliere 
stood King Obi, under a large crimson umbrella, accom- 
panied by Mr. Roscher, the mineralogist, who had gone 
with the Prince on his- return to his father. His Majesty 
was dressed in a curious manner ; a scarlet coat, with a 
few rude trimmings of bad lace, a pair of wide trowsers 
of white cotton, and a black velvet conical- shaped cap, 
decorated with a gold tassel ; his sooty uncovered feet 
peeping out rather strangely beneath the white, where 
the assistance of his almost namesake, Mr. Hohy^ would 
have been useful. During his approach, and while 
alongside, some musicians in the retinue performed the 
royal air on the ope, a sort of wind instrument formed 
THE ROYAL IBU AIR. 
by hollowing out a young elephant’s tusk : an oblong 
hole is bored at the upper third, into which the 
performer blows strongly, and by compressing the 
fingers over the lower aperture, several notes are pro- 
duced of anything but a pleasing character ; the tone 
resembles more the discordant jar of a clarionet in the 
