CHAP. IV.] 
LEGGE, THE CHIEF OF ELLYRIA. 
119 
of great importance. Ibrahim explained to him who 
I was, and he immediately came to ask for the 
tribute he expected to receive as “ black mail ” for 
the right of entree into his country. Of all the 
villainous countenances that I have ever seen, that 
of Legge excelled. Ferocity, avarice, and sensuality 
were stamped upon his face, and I immediately 
requested him to sit for his portrait, and in about 
ten minutes I succeeded in placing within my port¬ 
folio an exact likeness of about the greatest rascal 
that exists even in Central Africa. 
I had now the satisfaction of seeing my caravan 
slowly winding down the hillside in good order, having 
surmounted all their difficulties. 
Upon arrival, my men were perfectly astonished at 
seeing us so near the traders party, and still more 
confounded at my sending for Ibrahim to summon 
him to my tree, where I presented him with some 
English sovereigns and a double-barrelled gun. Nothing 
escapes the inquisitiveness of these Arabs; and the 
men of both parties quickly perceived that I had estab¬ 
lished an alliance in some unaccountable manner with 
Ibrahim. I saw the gun, lately presented to him, being 
handed from one to the other for examination; and 
both my vakeel and men appeared utterly confused at 
the sudden change. 
The chief of Ellyria now came to inspect my 
luggage, and demanded fifteen heavy copper bracelets 
and a large quantity of beads. The bracelets most in 
demand are simple rings of copper -fths of an inch 
thick, and weighing about a pound; those of. smaller 
size not being so much valued. I gave him fifteen such 
rings, and about ten pounds of beads in varieties, the 
red coral porcelain (dimiriaf) being the most accept¬ 
able. Legge was by no means satisfied : he said, “ his 
belly was very big and it must be filled,” which signi¬ 
fied, that his desire was great and must be gratified. 
I accordingly gave him a few extra copper rings ; but 
suddenly he smelt spirits, one of the few bottles that 
