That Evening, After We Had Dined, And I Was Smoking My Customary
Chibouque, Kabba Rega Astonished Me By An Impromptu Visit; He Was As
Usual Attended By Some Of His Followers Armed With Muskets.
He sat down
at the table, and having felt the table-cloth, he wished to know "why
the table was covered;" he then examined the tumblers, and everything
that was present, all of which he seemed to admire.
I offered him some
gin and water. This he smelt but would not taste, as he suspected
poison; accordingly he poured it into wine glasses, and divided it among
three of his people, who were obliged to drink it, while their master
watched them attentively, in expectation of some ill effects. His people
rather approved of the poison, and asked for more. Kabba Rega seemed to
think that a larger dose was necessary; but as we could not afford to
waste Geneva by experiments upon numerous attendants, all of whom were
to be poisoned with our good liquor for the amusement of the king, I
sent the bottle away and turned the subject.
Kabba Rega now minutely examined the lamps and glass shades. The
principle was explained to him, and the candle was withdrawn from the
tube and spring, and again replaced. He expressed a wish to have one,
saying that he intended to have everything precisely as I had.
I assured him that this was my object; I wished to create new wants
among his people and himself, which would tend to develop commerce.
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