INDISCREET ZEAL. 
261 
enveloped in cloth — which the King placed between his 
feet, was about to offer the customary libation of 
palm-wine, &c., when Captain Trotter, also much 
disconcerted at the idea of a heathen ceremony being 
performed in our presence, and in opposition to the 
rites of our holy religion, interrupted him, and called 
for Captain Bird Allen, who had just left the cabin. 
It was an inteiwal of breathless anxiety, the King 
became every moment more alarmed, and desirous 
to continue his sacrifice, till it was explained to him 
that we had asked the Great God, who was Father of 
us all, to bestow his blessing alike on the black people 
and on us. This immediately pacified him, he desisted 
from the operations, and his good humour as quickly 
returned. The remainder of the visit was spent very 
much to his gratification, in pouring down his own 
throat the palm-wine intended for Ju-ju, — as well as 
that of good Spanish growth, wdiich was placed before 
him — and afterwards in visiting every part of the vessel. 
On another occasion, his prejudices and anger were 
nearly excited by an officer, who, with naore zeal than 
discretion, seeing a native on his knees before the 
King, was about to drive him away ; saying, He could 
not suffer kneeling on a Christian quarter-deck to any 
but to the King of Kings.’^ The interference was very 
fortunately prevented, as “ Simon Jonas ” said it would 
have made Obi “ mad ” to have been deprived of the 
accustomed homage of his subjects. 
The principal part of the ceremony, according to the 
estimation of our guest, was now commenced ; namely ; 
