The king was a tall
man with a savage expression of countenance. Behind Mr. Goodenough,
Ostik and the Fan who spoke the language advanced. The king's chair
was lowered under the shade of a tree, and two attendants with palm
leaf fans at once began to fan his majesty.
"Tell the king," Mr. Goodenough said, "that we are white men who
have come to see his country, and to pass through to the countries
beyond. We have many presents for him, and wish to buy food and to
hire carriers in place of those who have brought our things thus
far."
The king listened in silence.
"Why do the white men bring our enemies into our land?" he asked
angrily.
"We have come up from the coast," Mr. Goodenough said; "and as
we passed through the Fan country we hired men there to carry our
goods, just as we wish to hire men here to go on into the country
beyond. There were none of the king's men in that country or we
would have hired them."
"Let me see the white men's presents," the king said.
A box was opened, a bright scarlet shirt and a smoking cap of the
same color, worked with beads, a blue silk handkerchief and twenty
yards of bright calico, were taken out. To these were added twelve
stair rods, five pounds of powder, and two pounds of shot.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197