JOURNEY FROM BADAGRY TO KATUNGA. 9
of our road lay through large plantations of corn and yams and fine
avenues of trees.
At 7 P. M. we arrived at Laboo. The approach to the town
appeared by the moonlight quite enchanting, being through an avenue of tall majestic trees, with fetish houses placed here and
there, and solitary lights burning by each. On entering the town we were taken to the caboceer's house, where he was sitting under
his verandah ready to receive us, and the house was crowded with
spectators ; he rose as high as the roof would admit, welcomed us
to his country, and said he was glad to see us. We told him there
was one sick gentleman behind, and requested he would send lights?
and people to assist to bring him up. In less than two hours Dr.
Morrison arrived ; and having received a present of a pig and five
baskets of yams, we prepared our supper and went to bed.
Wednesday, 14th.—The morning raw and cold; Morrison a
little better ; Captain Pearce and my servant Richard Lander taken
ill. After daylight the caboceer sent to inquire after our health,
and at 10 A. M. we paid him a visit. We found him in the same
place we saw him last night. The whole of the verandah and
square was full of people, except a small space for those who came
to prostrate themselves. In the centre of the square was a large
baboon and pole, and a forked stick, with water for pigeons, that
were continually flying about our heads. Rebind the caboceer sat
about two hundred of his wives and concubines. He was sitting
on a mat, reclining on a large round pillow, one of each of which
he immediately ordered for us. We sat down beside him and gave him a glass of grog, which he drank off
4 with great relish, turning
himself round so that his own people might not see him drink. We handed a few glasses more to his ladies, and a goblet full to his headmen, who were sitting in front with all the marks of their
morning’s salutation of their master. Their obeisance is a com-
plete prostration of the body at full length on the ground, with
c