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BILLEHS WIVES. 
delighted to find that “ many-tongued rumour ” had 
misinformed him of our having given a military coat 
and epaulettes to a mere “ bush king.” 
On asking Billeh whether he would bo willing to 
receive a missionary, he passionately exclaimed, “ No! 
I no will, that’s humbug palaver.” He spoke violently 
on the subject for some time ; his broken English was 
difficult to understand, but we gathered that he would 
not have any one to interfere with his authority ; nor 
to introduce customs, which might be repugnant to the 
feelings of his people. 
He renewed the subject of the Bobbi people, and 
said ho woidd stop some of their canoes until his 
“bob” was settled; but promised that he would not 
make war for the purpose of killing any one : for 
which concession he was promised a uniform jacket 
and other things. Two of his wives were sent to 
receive the presents, as he said he could not trust his 
son. These were both natives of Dualla, one a very 
good-looking girl, the other a sister of A’Lobah — King 
Bell. After giving the presents, and some articles of 
dress for themselves, they became so importunate that 
we were obliged to dismiss them rather unceremo- 
niously — for royal personages. 
The villages lining the shore of this beautiful little 
strait are generally neat and clean. Each has a 
headman, and they are aU Mngs or duhes. The govern- 
ment seems to be a patriarchal commonwealth, their 
subjects being principally their families and slaves. 
