Travels Of Richard And John Lander Into The Interior Of Africa For The Discovery Of The Course And Termination Of The Niger By Robert Huish
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The Person Also Who Had Met Them With A Horse After
Crossing The River Yow Near Bidjie, Proceeded Thither On His Own
Account, Without The Knowledge Or Consent Of The Governor, But As He
Was A Fellata And A Respectable Man, Little Was Said Or Done About
That Matter.
The only motive, which could have influenced these three
men in their projects of assisting the travellers, had been
Without
doubt in the expectation of receiving a trifling remuneration, and of
this, notwithstanding an injunction to the contrary from the
governor, they did not disappoint them, their services were well
timed and very acceptable, and amply deserved the reward of a few
needles and scissors.
The travellers were this morning witnesses to a specimen of native
tumbling and dancing, with the usual accompaniments of vocal and
instrumental music; by far the most diverting part of the
entertainment was the dancing, but even this did not at all answer
the expectations they had formed of it. The dancers were liberally
supplied with country beer, and like most amusements of the kind,
this one ended in wrangling and intoxication.
The fellows who accompanied them as guides from Badagry, and who, in
their native place would sell their birthright for a glass of rum,
had now washed themselves, and thrown aside their rags, appearing in
all public places in borrowed finery. They now never left their
habitations without Adooley's sword, which they had with them, and a
host of followers. On this morning, they attended the celebration of
the games in showy apparel, with silk umbrellas held over their
heads; and amongst other articles of dress, the principal of them
wore an immense drab-coloured quaker's hat of the coarsest quality.
So great were their ostentation and pride, that they would scarcely
deign to speak to a poor man.
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