nd Bassa. With him were about a dozen followers, each one wearing
a different sort of garment--and seldom more than a single
one--representing old uniforms of many countries. Two coats I noticed
were buttoned up the back.

The king began by saying that he was and always had been a friend of the
Americans; that he was a big man, had plenty of men and five wives, etc.
While he was speaking, a white-bearded old colored gentleman came
over the gangway, dressed in a linen roundabout and trousers, with a
wide-brimmed straw hat. At the same time Colonel Royal came up from
the cabin in grande tenue and introduced us to the Hon. Mr. Marshall,
governor of Bassa, formerly of Kentucky.

In a few minutes he explained the situation. With a few settlers he
was located at this place, on the frontier of the colony, and they were
there on sufferance only from the natives. I told him Colonel Royal
would explain my mission to him and the king. The colonel, bowing low to
the king, the governor, and myself, and bringing his sword down with a
thud on the deck, drew from between the bursting buttons of his coat
the formidable document I had seen at Monrovia, and with most impressive
voice and gesture commenced to read it. The king listened for a few
minutes, and then interrupted him. I asked the interpreter what he said.
He replied, "King say he fool nigger; if he comes on shore he give him
to Voodoo women." Then turning his back he walked forward. The colonel
dropped his paper, and drawing his sword, in the most dramatic manner
claimed protection in the name of the government, declaring that he had
been insulted. I told him to keep cool, since he was certainly safe
as long as he was on board my ship. He grumbled and muttered terrible
things, but subsided gradually like the departing thunder of a summer
storm.

I arranged the landing of the passengers with Governor Marshall, whom I
found a sensible, clear-headed old man, ready to cooperate in every
way. But he suggested that I had better consult the king before doing
anything. I did so, and he at once said they could not land. I told
the interpreter to say they would be landed at once and put under the
protection of the governor; that if the king or his people hurt them
or ran them off I would report it to our commodore, who would certainly
punish him severely. Finding me determined, he began to temporize, and
asked that the landing be put off until the next day, that he might
consult with