mouth, in common with all the native adults, and often even the children of this region. His dress consisted of a costly tobe and shocoto of the same pattern, both nicely embroidered, a cap of red silk-velvet, and Mohammedan sandals. On his wrists he wore massive silver rings, and a strand of large corals about his neck.
In front of the acabi, on both sides of a passage, left by which to approach his majesty, were several of his slaves, the principal officers of his house-hold, several men with long trumpets, on which they blew loud blasts, applauding those points of the conversation deemed wise or witty, and several eunuchs.
As usual, we explained the object of our visit to Africa, with which he was as much pleased as any of the other native authorities with whom we had before treated. We made him a small present, and received according to custom a return present of a fine sheep and three heads of cowries. Our interview was an exceedingly pleasant one, and every day we continued at Oyo after that, a messenger was sent to inquire after the health of the king's relatives, as he ever after called us.[1]
A tax was being collected for the expense of the war which the king was preparing against Ijaye, the
- ↑ See page 38.
