was therefore immediately fitted out, with instructions to proceed to the western coast of Africa, and from thence to Sackatoo, for the purpose of carrying into effect the arrangement proposed by the Sultan.

This expedition was placed under the command of Capt. Clapperton. He was accompanied by an English servant named Richard Lander, and some other persons. They reached Badagry in December, and on the 7th of that month, 1825, commenced their travels.

The first part of their journey lay through very thick forests, and the travelling was difficult and painful. At length they arrived at the negro town of Bidgie. The governor of this place, who was a fine young fellow, received them very kindly. He said, that neither he nor his people had ever seen white men before, and therefore they were politely requested to stay till the governor could give them a feast.

Here the travellers observed some women, marked in a very curious manner. They had small raised dots like wens, on their foreheads and cheeks, about half an inch apart. These were esteemed very beautiful; they had been made by cutting, and raising the skin.

It seems very surprising, that any people should submit to so much pain as these women had done, for the mere sake of fashion. But we can see the same disposition manifested, though in a different way, in our own country. We may observe persons every day, giving money which has cost them sev

eral months of labor, for a single article of dress, only to enable them to appear in the fashion.

After leaving Bidgie, the travellers proceeded to Laboo. In the morning, after their arrival, the Caboceer or governor sent for them, and they paid him a visit. He was seated on a mat, and behind him sat about two hundred of his wives. Captain Clapperton gave him some grog, which he drank off with great relish; turning himself round, however, so that the company might not see him drink.

Several of his people were with him; and as they are obliged, when they come into his presence, to fall down and kiss the earth, they were covered with dirt. They are also required to put dust or clay on their heads, and this added to their dirty appear

ance.

When the travellers told the governor that a white man was allowed but one wife, it seemed very ridiculous to the whole company, and he, with all his wives, laughed immoderately.

The travellers left Laboo, and soon arrived at Jannah. At this place, people pay extraordinary respect to dogs. In general, the negroes of Africa treat this faithful animal in a very cruel manner. But here he is made the companion of man; he has collars round his neck of different colors, sits by his master, and follows him in all his journeys and visits.

The travellers found at this place some articles of merchandise, which the people had procured from the English merchants at Badagry. Captain Clapperton remarks, that, thus far in his journey, the

people appeared to be very honest, and very well governed.

At Jannah, the travellers went to see the governor, who was surrounded by a great many people, and dressed in a rich crimson damask robe, and a red velvet cap. To astonish the white men with his grandeur, he changed his dress three times, each time wearing a richer one than before. After this, he took two of the travellers by the hand, led them to an open space, and there they all three performed an African dance. Captain Clapperton describes the scene as being very laughable.

At length the ceremonies were over; but in the evening the travellers wished to see the governor again, and accordingly sent him a message to that effect. The answer returned, was this. Highness is drunk tonight, but he will see you in the morning."

"His

At length Captain Clapperton and his companions arrived at Katunga, the capital of Yourriba. This is a large kingdom of negroes, whose noses are not flat, but prominent like those of white people. They are a very good looking race. They have a very small breed of horses, and also a small breed of horned cattle. Some of these have humps on their shoulders. They also have sheep, hogs, fowls, pigeons, and a few turkeys. Fruit, such as oranges, limes, pears, apples, is very abundant.

The women here, as in other parts of Africa, perform nearly all the labor. The people have a great many slaves. The king rules over the ebuntry as he pleases, but his government is mild,

and well suited to the condition of the inhabitants. The money used throughout the kingdom, are the little shells called cowries.

CHAPTER XIX.

Captain Clapperton's second expedition continued.

THE city of Katunga, is surrounded by a wall, fifteen miles in circuit. It stands near a mountain, formed of rocks, which look like vast pillars standing in the air, threatening every moment to fall. The king's houses and those of his women occupy about a square mile. They are built of clay, and have thatched roofs.

In the town, are seven different markets, which are open every evening. The principal articles for sale, are yams, corn, plantains, bananas, sweetmeats, goats, lambs, and fowls, besides various implements of agriculture.

While at Katunga, the travellers saw the king several times. He was a plain man; and he treated them very well, and they liked him very much. Captain Clapperton gave him some red and blue cloth, some umbrellas, and a gold headed cane. With these he appeared very much gratified.

After this, Captain Clapperton told the king that he was going to send to England, and wished to know what articles his majesty would desire from that country. The king replied, that he should like

a brass crown, fine yellow and blue cloth, some large coral, some gaudy carpeting, an English drum, and half a ton of cowries.

On the 6th of March, the travellers left Katunga, and proceeded on their journey.

On the 30th, they arrived at Boussa, situated on an island in the Niger or Quorra, as the river is there called by the natives. It is surrounded by walls, but consists only of clusters of houses here and there, and is not a regular town.

Captain Clapperton was taken to the Sultan, whom he found sitting with his Midaki, or chief wife. He was a handsome young man, about five and twenty, dressed in a white robe or shirt, with a red moorish cap on his head. The Sultan received the captain graciously, and he soon departed.

The next morning, he went again to see the Sultan, and presented him with many yards of cloth, a sword, knives, scissors, stockings, gloves, pictures, and many other things. The Sultan was very much pleased, and the Midaki was delighted.

My reader will recollect, that Boussa was the place, where Mungo Park and Lieutenant Martyn lost their lives. Captain Clapperton was, of course, very anxious to learn all he could respecting this melancholy event, and to get, if possible, the papers they had left. He made several inquiries on the subject, but the people seemed very unwilling to talk about it.

At length, the king's head man told him the following story, "That branch of the river, that runs east of the island, in which Boussa is situated,