prosecuting our journey this evening. I have already spoken of the
qualifications of this man as an interpreter, and have now to observe,
that he possessed others, which made him a useful medium of
communication with the natives: for instance, he was a good-tempered
fellow, could laugh heartily whenever they laughed, eat and drink
whatever was placed before him, however repugnant to an European
stomach; and, being somewhat of their own colour, i.e. not many shades
darker, they were inclined to be particularly partial to him.

Our path was at first tolerably good, and lay through a level country,
but, when we had proceeded about half way, became hilly, rugged, and
slippery, particularly after passing the second of two streams which
intercepted our road. A number of the natives, principally women,
continued to follow, passing evidently a variety of jokes upon us, and
laughing heartily at every false step I happened to make. Before we
reached the end of our journey, the number had increased to many
hundreds, who shouted, and halloed incessantly at the novelty of our
appearance, similar to a European rabble, when following any
extraordinary sight. To relieve Anderson, who had the luggage, I took
hold, for a short time, of the arm of a native, who conducted me well,
until we became surrounded by a crowd of his countrymen, and then,
whether he felt compelled to answer their queries, or was proud of his
charge, or anxious to exhibit the high confidence reposed in him, I
found him a very troublesome guide; for he was constantly turning his
head over my shoulder, and speaking or hallooing to those who were
behind him.

At length we arrived at the royal village, where Elwood and his
companion came to receive us at the hut that His Majesty had appointed
for our accommodation. It was so late, that my countrymen were
surprised to see us; and, the King having retired, we were obliged to
relinquish the honour of an interview until morning. I therefore took
tea, and was happy in lying down for repose, after my fatiguing
journey. It was not without much concern I learned from Elwood, that,
during the present visit, neither he nor his companion had met with the
hospitable treatment or attention which they had expected; on the
contrary, they had been compelled, immediately after their arrival, to
expose the contents of their bags, and actually obliged to surrender up
to the King one-half of the little stock of iron with which they had