Landers had no reason whatever to doubt this information, and
being aware how little they could do, if they should be attacked by
these formidable fellows, they determined on going at night,
according to the custom of the natives, and proposed starting at four
o'clock on the evening of the morrow. The chief's brother was
apprised of their intentions, at which he seemed quite astonished,
and they doubted not that this determined conduct, which they had
every where shown, and apparent defiance of all danger, in making
light of the dreadful stories, which were related to them, had great
influence on the minds of the people, and no doubt inspired them with
a belief that they were supernatural beings, gifted with more than
ordinary qualifications. Having communicated their intentions to
their friend, and given him all the little trifling things he wished
for, he departed with the present for his brother the chief.

On the following day, he again paid them a visit, urging them by
every argument which he could think of, to defer their departure for
their own sakes for two or three days, in order that canoes might be
got ready to accompany them on their voyage, and he endeavoured again
to impress upon their minds the danger, which they should inevitably
incur, if they were determined to go alone. They, however, paid
little attention to his remarks, further than that they consented to
wait till the afternoon, for a man to accompany them in the capacity
of messenger, to the so much talked of Bocqua market, where, it was
asserted, they should be perfectly safe, and beyond which place the
people were represented as being less rapacious, so that little fear
was to be entertained from them. As the afternoon approached, they
inquired in vain for the promised guide, and when they found that the
chief, or rather his brother, felt no disposition whatever to redeem
his pledge, they made immediate preparations to leave the town, to
the manifest disappointment of the latter, who made a very dolorous
lament, and did all in his power, except employing actual force, to
induce them to change their resolution.

They now ordered Pascoe and their people to commence loading the
canoe, but the poor fellows were all in tears and trembled with fear;
one of them in particular, a native of Bonny, said, that he did not
care for himself, as his own life was of little consequence, all he
feared was, that his masters would be murdered, and as he had been