we had never seen. And secondly, because there was no other way to
escape him: and plain reason would tell him, that we being prisoners
were without our bounds. Whereupon we concluded, that our best way
would be to go boldly and resolutely to his house, and not to seem
daunted in the least, or to look as if we did distrust him to disallow
of our Journey, but to shew such a behaviour, as if we had authority
to travail where we would.

[The Method they used to prevent his suspicion of them.] So we went
forward, and were forced to enquire and ask the way to his house,
having never been so far this way before. I brought from home with
me Knives with fine carved handles, and a red Tunis Cap purposely
to sell or give him, if occasion required, knowing before, that we
must pass by him. And all along as we went, that we might be the
less suspected, we sold Caps and other Ware, to be paid for at our
return homewards. There were many cross Paths to and fro to his
house, yet by Gods Providence we happened in the right Road. And
having reached his house, according to the Countrey manner we went
and sate down in the open house; which kind of Houses are built on
purpose for the reception of Strangers. Whither not long after the
Great Man himself came and sate down by us. To whom we presented
a small parcel of Tobacco, and some Betel. And before he asked us
the cause of our coming, we shewed him the Ware we brought for him,
and the Cotton Yarn which we had trucked about the Country; telling
him withall how the case stood with us: viz. That we had a Charge
greater than the Kings allowance would maintain; and that because
dryed Flesh was the chief Commodity of that Part, we told him, That
missing of the Lading which we used to carry back, we were glad to
come thither to see, if we could make it up with dryed Flesh. And
therefore if he would please to supply us either for such Ware as
we had brought, or else for our Money, it would he a great favour,
the which would oblige us for the future to bring him any necessaries
that he should name unto us, when we should come again unto those
Parts, as we used to do very often: and that we could furnish him,
having dealings and being acquainted with the best Artificers in Cande.

At which he replyed, That he was sorry we were come at such a dry
time, wherein they could not catch Deer, but if some Rain fell,
he would soon dispatch us with our Ladings of Flesh. But however,
he bade us go about