the king's wives frequently came to see how we were treated, we were
served with the utmost humility and attention.

CHAPTER VI.

I am given as a Slave to the old King's Favourite,
Whyna--Assist my young Mistress to make her Toilet--Hold
frequent Conversations with her, and become strongly
attached to her--My Hatred and Dread of the old King
increase--He shoots a Man with Bird-arrows.

One morning, after we had been about three weeks in these comfortable
quarters, I was summoned away from my companions into the presence of
the king. When I came before him a small manacle was fixed round my
left ankle, and another round my left wrist, with a light chain
connecting the two. A circle of feathers was put round my head, and a
loose cloth wrapped round my loins. I was then led forward to him with
my arms crossed over my breast, and my head bowed. By his orders I was
then placed behind the youngest of the four women, the one who had
chafed my wrists, and I was given to understand that I was her slave,
and was to attend upon her, to which, I must say, I gave a joyful
assent in my heart, although I did not at that time show any signs of
gladness. There I remained, with my arms folded, and bowed as before,
until dinner was brought in, and a calabash full of cush-cush was put
into my hands to place before the king and his wives. My first attempt
at service was not very adroit, for, in my eagerness to do my duty, I
tripped over the corner of the mat which served them for a table, and
tumbling headlong forward, emptied the calabash of cush-cush which I
held in my hand upon the legs of the old king, who sat opposite to
where I was advancing. He jumped up roaring out with anger, while I in
my fear sprung on my legs, and rushed to the side of the apartment,
expecting immediate death. Fortunately the victuals in this country
are always served up cool, and my new mistress easily obtained my
pardon, laughing heartily at the scene, and at my apprehension.

The repast being over, I was ordered to follow my mistress, who
retired to another hut, according to their custom, to sleep during the
heat of the day. I was placed before the door to prevent her being
disturbed. My only duty now was to attend upon my young mistress. She
was the king's favourite wife, and as she was uniformly kind and
gentle, I should have almost ceased to lament my loss of liberty had
it not been from the fear I had of the old monarch. I