hopes from that quarter. Boy had
refused to take them to Bonny, asserting that if he could not be paid
here, he should not be paid there, and to go back to Brass Town would
be deliberately returning to starvation. His last resource,
therefore, was to put the best face on the business which he could,
and as no other plan was left him, to get away by fair means or foul,
and let the blame fall where it was incurred.

Early on the following morning, Lander was on the look out for his
brother, and soon observed him and the people get into the canoe.
They were no sooner embarked than they all landed again, which could
be accounted for in no other way, than by supposing that it was the
intention of Boy to keep them on shore, until he had received the
goods. He was, however, not long in this state of anxiety, for about
seven o'clock, they embarked and were brought on board.

The following is the account which John Lander gave, of the events
which fell under his notice at Brass Town, and his proceedings during
the time that he was separated from his brother.

Wednesday, November 17th. "This morning, my brother, attended by one
of our men, quitted this town with King Boy and suite, leaving the
remainder of the party and myself behind, as hostages for the
fulfilment of the conditions, which we entered into with him in the
Eboe country. For myself, though greatly chagrined at this unforeseen
arrangement, I could not from my heart, altogether condemn the framer
of it; for it is quite natural to suppose that a savage should
distrust the promises of Europeans, when he himself is at all times
guilty of breach of faith and trust, not only in his trading
transactions with foreigners, but likewise in familiar intercourse
with his own people. Forday is the cause of it, and he displays all
the artifice, chicanery, and low cunning of a crafty and corrupt
mind. Therefore, after a moment's reflection, I was not much
surprised at the step which King Boy has taken, nor can I be very
angry with him, and I am resolved to await with composure his return,
and consequently my release from this miserable place, though I have
begun to consider with seriousness, what will become of us, in the
event of Lake's refusal to honour the bill which we have sent him.
Besides, I am rather uneasy on our people's account, for during these
two or three days past, they have had scarcely any thing to eat, and
we are now left entirely destitute, nor do I know where