easant and irksome, and as some of them evinced a strong
disposition for intriguing, it was considered fortunate that the
communication was closed, as the friendship and good-will of Ebo were
particularly necessary to them, not only to secure their good
treatment during their stay at Katunga, but also to expedite their
departure from it.

Ebo had scarcely taken his departure, and they were rejoicing at the
probability of not being again intruded upon, particularly as it was
the Sabbath day, when, to their great annoyance, they were favoured
with the company of several Houssa mallams, who, notwithstanding the
irksome restraint to which they are subjected by the jealousy of the
king and his people, are content to remain so far from their native
country, and reside amongst strangers and pagans as long as they
live. Whether the priests have taken this step purely from religious
motives, or, which is the more likely reason of the two, that they
have exiled themselves from their home and families for the mere
purpose of being enriched at the expense of the credulity and
ignorance of the inhabitants, were questions, which could not at the
time be solved. At all events, the institutions of these missionaries
are effectually concealed under a cloak of piety and devotion; and
thus they are tolerated by the common consent of the monarch and his
subjects.

The practice of making presents is, in general, in the African
cities, not confined to the sovereign and his immediate ministers,
but it extends to every grade, in the least degree connected with the
court. Thus the Landers supposed that when they had made their
presents to the king and his chief eunuchs, no further demand would
be made upon them in the way of presents; in this, however, they
found themselves mistaken, for they now discovered that there were
certain gentlemen, styled head men, who are the confidential advisers
of the king, and lead his armies to battle. It was, however,
necessary previously to sending the presents to the head men, to
submit them to the inspection of the king, in order that nothing
might be given them, which had not his approbation and consent. This
was accordingly done, and the donors took particular care not to
include any red cloth amongst their presents. It was rather laughable
to see the presents undergoing the examination of Mansolah. Amongst
them were three large clasp knives, one for each of the head men,
but his majesty very unceremoni