to
accompany them thither, on whom he could depend to bring them back to
him. He expressed himself much gratified with this offer, and said
that his own son should accompany them, and that although his people
had never been lower down the river than to a place called Kirree,
about a day's journey from hence, he had no doubt that they should
reach the sea in safety. He then promised with solemnity, that he
would consent to their departure in the time that he had specified,
and having shaken hands, they parted.

The Landers, however, found that the old chief was not so punctual to
his word as they had a right to expect, for he was every day
consulting his fetish and his mallams, and they were all unanimous in
their opinion, that the departure of the white men should be delayed
for a short time. This to them was a most vexatious proceeding. Their
determination of departing was not, however, to be shaken, although
the entrails of some fowls which the chief consulted, declared that
the time of their departure was very inauspicious. According to the
chief's own arrangement, the people of the Landers were to embark in
the leaky canoe, with the heaviest of the luggage, and themselves
were to travel in one of the chief's canoes, and to take along with
them whatever was of most consequence. To this regulation they could
not raise any plausible objection, because their old canoe had been
partially repaired.

A little after four in the afternoon of the 4th November, their
luggage was conveyed to the river side, and they proceeded to load
the canoes. Long before five, every thing on their parts had been got
in readiness for quitting the town, and they sat in the canoe till
after sunset, waiting the arrival of the boatmen, who did not seem at
all disposed to hurry themselves in making their appearance. They
began at length to be wearied with anxiety, and impatient to be
stirring. Hundreds of people had been gazing on them for a long
while, many of whom had taken the pains to come, from different parts
of the town in boats for that purpose and the curiosity of all having
been amply indulged, they were moving off in all directions, so that
the Landers were almost deserted.

At length when their uneasiness was at its height, they saw the chief
advancing towards them with a train of followers. The mallam and all
his principal people were with him, bringing numerous jars of palm
wine. A mat was spread near the water-side, whereon the