On the left bank was the wattle town of King William, the
sable monarch of the Gaboon. Mr. Goodenough at once landed and made
inquiries for a house. He succeeded in finding one, consisting of
three rooms, built on piles, an important point in a country in
which disease rises from the soil. At Bonny Mr. Goodenough had,
with the assistance of the agent, enlisted six Houssas. These people
live much higher up on the coast, but they wander a good deal and
may be met with in most of the ports. The men had formed a guard
in one of the hulks, but trade having been bad the agent had gone
home, and they were glad to take service with Mr. Goodenough. They
spoke a few words of English, and, like the Kroomen, rejoiced in
names which had been given them by sailors. They were called Moses,
Firewater, Ugly Tom, Bacon, Tatters, and King John. They were now
for the first time set to work, and the goods were soon transported
from the brig to the house.
"Is anything the matter with you, Frank?" Mr. Goodenough asked that
evening.
"I don't know, sir. My head feels heavy, somehow, and I am giddy."
Mr. Goodenough felt his pulse.
"You have got your first touch of fever," he said.
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