t town, and strenuously endeavoured
by gentle means to bring over the carriers to their views, but, these
failing, they resorted to their own mode of argument, namely, fierce
looks, violent action, vociferous bawling, and expressive gesture,
which intimidated so much, that they snatched up their burdens,
without saying a word, and ran away with alacrity and good humour.
These carriers Were to accompany them as far as the frontier town of
the kingdom.

It was market day at Atoopa, and at a distance of some miles from the
town, the hum of human voices could be distinctly heard. Just after
their arrival, a man of note, who was a public singer and dancer,
stood before the door of their hut to entertain them with a specimen
of his abilities, and he entered with so much warmth and agility into
the spirit of his profession, that his whimsical performance really
afforded them much diversion. The musician had two assistant drummers
in his train, whose instruments were far from being unmusical, and
likewise several other men, whose part was to keep time by clapping
with their hands. The dancing was excellent of its kind, and
resembled more the European style, than any they had before seen in
the country. The singing was equally good, the voices of the men
being clear and agreeable; they sang the responses, and likewise
accompanied the chanting of their master with their voices; in fact,
they performed their part of the entertainment to admiration. A
_Fatakie_, a smaller number than a coffle of merchants, left Atoopa
on the preceding day for Kiama, and it was most likely that they
would overtake them at the next town.

On Sunday morning, though their horses were in a very weak condition,
and all looked extremely sorrowful, yet they quitted Atoopa at an
early hour and in good spirits, and journeying in a westerly
direction, in two hours time they entered a lively little walled
town, called Rumbum. Here they dismounted, and took a slight
refreshment of parched corn and water, on the trunk of a fallen tree.
Rumbum is a great thoroughfare for fatakies of merchants, trading
from Houssa, Borgoo, and other countries to Gonga; and consequently a
vast quantity of land is cultivated in its vicinity with corn and
yams, to supply them with provisions.

On quitting this town, their course altered to N.W., and continued so
till their arrival at the large and important town of Keeshee, which
is on the frontier of the kingdom, and distant fro