t, and possessed more honour and integrity than either of his
countrymen.

"These are the rulers of the Brass River, and pretty fellows they
are, truly. Mr. Dow further observes, that the river is extremely
unhealthy, and that his first and second mates, three coopers, and
five seamen, had already died of fever, and that he himself had had
several narrow escapes from the same disorder. He concludes, by
cautioning traders against the treachery of the natives generally,
and gives them certain directions concerning 'the dreadful bar,' at
the mouth of the river, on which he had nearly perished.

"This business had been no sooner settled, than Obie entered the
yard, attended as usual, but clad indifferently in loose silks. After
the customary salutations, Boy directed the monarch to appeal to me,
that he might be satisfied in what estimation he was held by white
men. Of course I said a variety of fine things in his favour, which
were received with a very good grace indeed; but that a piece of
paper simply, which could neither speak, hear, nor understand, should
impart such information, was a source of astonishment and wonder to
Obie and his train, who testified their emotion in no other manner
than by looks of silly amazement, and repeated bursts of laughter.

"The king then said with a serious countenance, that there was no
necessity for further discussion respecting the white men, his mind
was already made up on the subject, and for the first time, he
briefly explained himself to this effect: That circumstances having
thrown us in the way of his subjects, by the laws and usages of the
country, he was not only entitled to our own persons, but had an
equal right to those of our attendants; that he should take no
further advantage of his good fortune, than by exchanging us for as
much English goods as would amount in value to twenty slaves. In
order to have this matter fairly arranged and settled, he should, of
his own accord, prevent our leaving the town, till such time as our
countrymen at Bonny or Brass should pay for our ransom, having
understood from ourselves that the English at either of those rivers,
would afford us whatever assistance we might require, with
cheerfulness and alacrity. Concerning the goods of which we had been
robbed at Kirree, he assured us he would use his utmost exertions to
get them restored. He lamented that circumstance more than any one,
but he denied that a single subject of his had any thin