Vv. 26-28.
{6} Poisoned arrows are used chiefly in war. The poison, which is
said to be very deadly, is prepared from a shrub called koono (a
species of echites), which is very common in the woods. The leaves
of this shrub, when boiled with a small quantity of water, yield a
thick black juice, into which the negroes dip a cotton thread: this
thread they fasten round the iron of the arrow in such a manner that
it is almost impossible to extract the arrow, when it has sunk
beyond the barbs, without leaving the iron point and the poisoned
thread in the wound.
{7} A minkalli is a quantity of gold nearly equal in value to ten
shillings sterling.
{8} This is a large, spreading tree (a species of sterculia) under
which the bentang is commonly placed.
{9} When a negro takes up goods on credit from any of the Europeans
on the coast, and does not make payment at the time appointed, the
European is authorised by the laws of the country to seize upon the
debtor himself, if he can find him, or, if he cannot be found, on
any person of his family; or, in the last resort, on ANY NATIVE OF
THE SAME KINGDOM. The person thus seized on is detained, while his
friends are sent in quest of the debtor. When he is found, a
meeting is called of the chief people of the place, and the debtor
is compelled to ransom his friend by fulfilling his engagements.
