THE king’s fear OF RAIN. 
285 
good and wholesome, then desiring them to be refreshed, 
she retired. 
The repast consisted of stewed meat and duck, with 
Foo-Foo, or yam pounded^ with palm-oil poured over it, 
which were both very palatable after so long a fast. 
About half-past twelve, the King’s eunuch came to say 
his Majesty would now give audience, and they soon 
reached the palace — a number of quadrangular and 
circular huts, some of them rather dilapidated, enclosed 
by a wall — here they were ushered into a circular one, 
used as a sort of waiting-room, where their patience 
was further tried. Some mats and two pieces of Kidder- 
minster carpet were placed for them to sit on, which 
Brown recognised as those presented by the late Mr. 
Lander. They were thence conducted into an oblong 
court, surrounded by huts, where, after again sitting two 
hours, the Att^h sent to say, “ he wished God to bless 
them, but it rained to-day, and that, as rain never falls 
on the King, he could not receive them.” 
The messenger was requested to go back to his 
Majesty and say, “ they had waited a long time, on the 
promise that he would grant an interview ; that English- 
men did not like to be trifled with, and that they must 
return to the Captain of the Expedition.” 
Soon after this, the eunuch came to inform them 
the “ Attkh would see them.” 
At the same time, a sort of rude throne was prepared 
by throwing an ample scarlet cloth over a framework of 
bamboo, and over all, a piece of Turkey carpet. 
