l, after a deliberate
discussion, was agreed to on both, sides, the contract confirmed by
drinking palm-wine, and a mutual exchange of presents, as follows, we
tendered an axe to the King, and he returned the compliment by
presenting us with a fowl.

We now proposed to accompany his Majesty back to his village. With this
he appeared perfectly acquiescent, taking me by the hand, and leading
me forward, as if he were conducting me to the point proposed; but we
soon found that his real intention was to lead us to our boats. We
still, however, imagined that this was only with the view of taking us
some nearer way home; but when we wished him to enter the boat, with
the intention of coasting it to another part of the shore, he
positively declined, giving us to understand that his house was not
good enough to receive us, and that it contained nothing in the shape
of refreshments sufficient to do honour to the visit. We were, however,
predetermined, and, as our interpreter was acquainted with the way,
proceeded with Captain Smith and Mr. Jeffery, in addition to our former
party. When we arrived, we were ready to admit that his Majesty had
some reason not to be over-anxious for our company: for neither was the
road, nor the accommodations of his hut, calculated either for a visit
of pleasure or ceremony; in many parts the path was not only slippery,
but interrupted by roots of trees and pools of water; added to which,
it lay through a thick jungle, which swarmed with myriads of ants. His
Majesty's hut was a mere thatched roof, the eaves of which nearly
reached to the ground, supported by posts, and with only one end
protected from the weather; the chief articles of furniture were logs
of wood, as substitutes for stools, and an inclined plane of wood, five
feet in length, to serve the purpose of a bed, the pillow of which was
a round bar, three or four inches in diameter, supported at the proper
height by two brackets. The king's brother, who had arrived first,
received us with much good humour, but regretted that he had nothing to
entertain us with. In a short time, however, a calabash of stale
palm-wine was handed in, which, having first tasted, according to the
African custom, with a view of proving that it contained no poison, he
presented to us. After resting a short time, we returned to our boats.

In order to prosecute the formation of the now colony with the greatest
energy, every hand which could possibly be spared, wa