CHAPTER XIII. 
Tlie ‘ Wilberforce’ and ‘ Soudan’ dispatched across the river to procure 
fuel — Hostile character of the Natives — Their wars with the Egga- 
rahs — Savage appearance — Arms — Beauty of the country — Ants’ 
nests — Their formation — Snakes— The kola or goora-nut — Town 
of Wappa — The Chief “ Egada Yaluelama” — King Obah of Benin — 
Human sacrifices — Specimens of birds— Snakes — Venomous cen. 
tipede — African scorpion — Final interview of the Commissioners 
with the Attah — The treaty signed and attested — Arabic Bible 
presented — List of presents — Scene in the Attah’s palace — City of 
Iddah — Divided into districts — Militia — Houses — Market place — 
Articles for sale— Cotton manufactures— Native smiths— Arms, &c. 
—Dying — Method of fishing — The Mallams — Physical character of 
the natives — Form of government and laws — Cavalry — Sale of 
charms — Religion of the people — Their notions of God — Human 
sacrifices — Prospects of Missionary labours — Polygamy — Melan- 
choly death — The * Wilberforce’ gets aground — Fever com- 
mences. 
While the Commissioners were thus occupied at 
Iddah, the ‘Wilberforce’ and ‘Soudan’ were actively 
engaged in procuring fuel on the opposite bank. In 
this some difficulty was at first experienced, owing 
to the hostile appearance of the natives, who came 
