400 
DILALS, OR BROKERS. 
expect to get the price put on his goods, however fair 
and reasonable it may be. This makes it very difficult 
for an Englishman to trade with the native broker. For 
instance, one thousand cowries were asked for some 
beautiful coronation medals, and they were readily 
bought up at Rabbah, .on the supposition that they were 
silver ; but, when on inquiring from Mr. Lander, they 
found they were not, they brought them, requesting 
him to take them back, which he, being desirous to 
establish a credit for honourable dealing, consented to 
do ; and it is a curious fact, that, not being able to repay 
them at the time in cowries, he gave promissory notes, 
merely I. O. U., with his signature, which were 
redeemed when Lander had obtained cowries by the sale 
of other goods. If three or four thousand had been 
demanded for these medals, in the first instance, they 
would have been more sought after ; as it was, nobody 
would have them at any price, and they expected to get 
silver dollars for about a shilling. 
As the object of our last visit to Africa was not com- 
mercial, we may be excused if we do not give a very 
business-like account of the resources of the country, 
though it will perhaps be expected, while treating of the 
trading propensities of the natives, that some mention 
should be made of the principal articles which were 
brought for sale, with the prices usually paid for them, 
in cowries. 
First in the estimation of the native trader — paying 
