The Landers Were Not Suffered To Go On Shore, But Constrained To Remain In The Canoes, Without A Covering For The Head, And Exposed To The Heat Of A Burning Sun.

A person in a muhommedan dress, who they learnt afterwards was a native of a place near Funda, came

To them and endeavoured to cheer them, by saying that their hearts must not be sore, that at the palaver which would be held, they had plenty of friends to speak for them. In the mean time about twenty canoes full of Damaggoo people had arrived from the various towns near that place. These persons having heard how the Landers had been treated, also became their friends, so that they now began to think there was a chance of their escaping, and this intelligence put them into better spirits.

A stir was now made in the market, and a search commenced through all the canoes for their goods, some of which were found, although the greater part of them were at the bottom of the river. Those were landed and placed in the middle of the market-place. The Landers were now invited by the mallams to land, and told to look at their goods, and see if they were all there. To the great satisfaction of Richard Lander, he immediately recognized the box containing their books, and one of his brother's journals. The medicine chest was by its side, but both were filled with water. A large carpet bag containing all their wearing apparel was lying cut open, and deprived of its contents, with the exception of a shirt, a pair of trousers, and a waistcoat. Many valuable articles which it contained were gone. The whole of Richard Lander's journal, with the exception of a note book, with remarks from Rabba to Kirree, was lost. Four guns, one of which had been the property of the late Mr. Park, four cutlasses, and two pistols were gone. All their buttons, kowries, and needles, which were necessary for them to purchase provisions with, all were missing, and said to have been sunk in the river.

They were now desired to seat themselves, which as soon as they had done, a circle gathered round them and began questioning them, but at that moment the sound of screams and the clashing of arms reached the spot, and the multitude catching fire at the noise, drew their swords, and leaving the Landers to themselves, they ran away to the place whence it proceeded. The origin of all this, was a desire for more plunder on the part of the Eboe people. Seeing the few things of the white men in the marketplace, they made a rush to the place to recover them. The natives, who were Kirree people, stood ready for them, armed with swords, daggers, and guns; and the savage Eboes finding themselves foiled in the attempt, retreated to their canoes, without risking an attack, although the Landers fully expected to have been spectators of a furious and bloody battle.

This after all, was a fortunate circumstance, inasmuch as the two brothers, having unconsciously jumped into the same canoe found themselves in each other's company, and were thus afforded, for a short time at least, the pleasure of conversing without interruption.

The palaver not having yet concluded, they had full leisure to contemplate the scene around them. They had moored a little way from the banks of the river; in front of them was the marketplace, which was crammed with market people, from all parts of the neighbouring country of different tribes: a great multitude of wild men, of ferocious aspect and savage uncouth manners. To these belonged the choice either of giving them life and liberty, or dooming them to slavery or death. In the latter determination, their minds might be swayed by suspicion or caprice, or influenced by hatred. In the former, they might be guided by the hopes of gain, or biassed by the fear of punishment; for many of them had come from the sea-coast; and such an adventure as theirs could not long remain concealed from the knowledge of their countrymen. There happened to be amongst the savages, a few well-dressed mahommedan priests, who had come late to the market from the northward. These were decidedly the friends of the Landers. Many times they blessed them with uplifted hands and compassionate countenances, exclaiming, "Allah sullikee," God is king. Nor did they confine themselves to simple expressions of pity or concern; but as they subsequently learnt, they joined the assembly and spoke in their favour with warmth and energy, taxing those who had assaulted them, with cowardice, cruelty, and wrong: and proposing to have them beheaded on the spot, as a just punishment for their crime. This was bold language, but it produced a salutary effect on the minds of the hearers.

In the afternoon, the Landers were ordered to return to the small island whence they had come, and the setting of the sun being the signal for the council to dissolve, they were again sent for to the market. The people had been engaged in deliberation and discussion during the whole of the day; and with throbbing hearts they received their resolution, in nearly the following words: -

"That the king of the country being absent, they had taken upon themselves to consider the occurrence, which had taken place in the morning, and to give judgment accordingly. Those of their things which had been saved from the water, should be restored to them; and the person, who first commenced the attack on the white men, should lose his head, as a just retribution for his offence, having acted without the chief's permission: that with regard to themselves, they must be considered as prisoners, and consent to be conducted on the following morning to Obie, king of the Eboe country, before whom they were to undergo an examination, and whose will and pleasure concerning their persons would then be explained."

They received this intelligence with feelings of rapture, and with bursting hearts they offered up thanks to their divine Creator, for his signal preservation of them throughout this disastrous day.

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