DILATORY TRADERS. 
399 
propensity. With this we might work wonders ; but 
the habits and practices of the natives are so different to 
our method of dealing, that it is useless to expect rapid 
results and advantages. The principal difference 
between the European and the African merchant would 
be, not so much in the value of their commodities, for 
that would find its level, but in the estimate of time, of 
which the Negro has no conception. The disposal of a 
small cargo of merchandise from England, for which the 
speculator would expect immediate return, would, accord- 
ing to the present tardy method of the country, occupy 
the brokers for years. As much time is consumed, and 
as many words are wasted, in the purchase of a few 
yams or a fowl, as in that of a large elephant’s tooth. 
Frequently when the bargain appears to be concluded, 
the “ dil^ls” will change their minds, both as to the price, 
and the nature of the goods they wish to take in 
exchange : never appearing to have determined 
the amount of profit with which they will be satisfied. 
As, however, the goods offered were totally new, they 
could not form a just estimate of their value. The 
“ dilM,” or broker, always asked, in the first instance, 
more than treble the value of his commodities, and ex- 
pected our traders would do the same. It was, perhaps, 
owing to the repugnance which Lander had to demanding 
more than he intended to take, that many of the goods 
became deteriorated in the estimation of the native mer- 
chants. They think it presumption of the seller if he 
