large
quantities from the neighbouring rivers, chiefly to Liverpool. We
calculated that the tree had fully eight hundred nuts on it; and as each
contains a considerable quantity of oil, it may be supposed how large an
amount a single tree produces. I had seen something of the trade on my
former visit to the coast, when I was at the Bonny river. We took
chiefly English manufactures to exchange for the oil, and a few bales of
glass beads from Germany. On entering the river we covered in the deck
with a mat roofing, to protect us from the sun and the tropical showers;
but before we could begin trading we had to pay a heavy duty to the old
king of the territory, of muskets, powder, tobacco, calicoes, woollen
caps, and, what he valued still more, several dozens of rum. The
dealers then made their appearance, and received advances of goods to
purchase oil in the interior, for the Bonny itself does not produce the
oil. Our next business was to erect a cask-house on shore, in which to
prepare the puncheons for the reception of the oil. This was brought
down in small quantities by the traders; and it took us nearly four
months to obtain about eight hundred puncheons, which our vessel
carried. The palm-oil or _pulla_, when brought to us, was of a rich
orange colour, and of the consistency of honey. To my surprise, the
morning after the first quantity arrived I found a basin full of it on
the breakfast-table, and learned that it was the custom to eat it
instead of butter; and very delicious it was. By the time it reaches
England, it has, however, obtained a disagreeable taste, totally
different from what it possesses when fresh. The palm-oil is about the
most valuable production of this part of Africa; and the natives are
beginning to discover that its collection is far more profitable to them
than the slave-trade.

To return to my narrative: we encamped at a short distance from the
thick wood, by the side of the stream I spoke of, hoping early next
morning to begin our ascent of the mountains. We might have proceeded
further, but the spot was so tempting, that, although we had a couple of
hours of daylight, we agreed to stop where we were. The blacks soon had
the huts erected and fires lighted--an operation they would not have
undertaken had their wives been present to do it for them. As we were
all very hungry, we immediately commenced our evening meal, some birds
we had shot not taking long to cook; while we had