450 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER village. We ourselves could then pass down quite easily in our lightened crafts with the guides I also asked for. I got a promise at last that all my wishes should be met.

On the 5th, however, there were still no canoes, but at four o'clock the chief sent for me and told me that the whole thing was arranged and settled. In fact, I heard WOMEN OF BUSSA.

him give the orders to two negroes, who were, I was told, the chief canoe men. We agreed that I should pay two hundred thousand cowries. Thinking that everything was really settled this time, I gave the chief my own fowlingpiece and a little pocket revolver.

During the day more big canoes, from about twenty-seven to thirty-three feet long, came alongside of our boats loaded with rice and the native produce called karit. The English at Seba I was told give two bags of salt for one of