Goodenough said. "The other tribes
all have a species of terror of these cannibals. We must reassure
them as soon as possible."
A long palaver then took place with the chief, with whose language
one of the Fans was sufficiently acquainted to make himself
understood. It was rather a tedious business, as each speech had
to be translated twice, through Ostik and the Fan.
Mr. Goodenough informed the chief that the white men were friends
of his people, that they had come to see the country and give presents
to the chiefs, that they only wished to pass quietly through and
to journey unmolested, and that they would pay handsomely for food
and all that they required. They wished to obtain bearers for their
baggage, and these they would pay in cloth and brass rods, and as
soon as they procured carriers the Fans would return to their own
country.
The chief answered expressing his gratification at seeing white
men in his village, saying that the king would, no doubt, carry out
all their wishes. One of the boxes was opened and he was presented
with five yards of bright colored calico, a gaudy silk handkerchief,
and several strings of bright beads. In return a large number of
plantains were presented to the white men.
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