and with astonishing
rapidity the luggage of the Landers found its way into those of their
opponents. This mode of proceeding was not relished by them at all,
and Richard Lander's gun being loaded with two balls and four slugs,
he took deliberate aim at the leader, and he would have paid for his
temerity with his life in one moment more, had not three of his
people sprung on Lander, and forced the gun from his hands. His
jacket and shoes were now plundered from him, and observing some
other fellows at the same time taking away Pascoe's wife, Lander lost
all command over himself, and was determined to sell his life as
dearly as he could. He encouraged his men to arm themselves with
their paddles, and defend themselves to the last. He instantly seized
hold of Pascoe's wife, and with the assistance of another of his men
dragged her from the fellow's grasp. Pascoe at the same time levelled
a blow at his head with one of their iron-wood paddles, that sent him
reeling backwards, and they saw him no more.

Their canoe having been so completely relieved of their cargo, which
had consisted only of their luggage, they had plenty of room on her
for battle, and being each of them provided with a paddle, they
determined, as they had got clear of their adversary, to cut down the
first fellow who should dare to board them. This, however, was not
attempted, and as none of the other canoes had attempted to
interfere, Lander was in hopes of finding some friends amongst them,
but at all events, he was determined to follow the people who had
plundered them, to the market, whither they seemed to be going. They
accordingly pulled after them as fast as they could, and they were
following the canoe that had attacked them, with the utmost
expedition, when they were hailed by some people from a large canoe,
which was afterwards found to belong to the New Calabar River. One of
the people, who was apparently a person of consequence, called out
lustily, "Holloa, white men, you French, you English?" "Yes,
English," Lander answered immediately. "Come here in my canoe," he
said, and their two canoes approached each other rapidly. Lander got
into the canoe, and put three of his men into his own, to assist in
pulling her to the market. The people of the canoe treated him with
much kindness, and the chief gave him a glass of rum.

On looking round him, Lander now observed his brother coming towards
him, in the Damaggoo canoe, and the same villain, who