452 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER at Akassa, after being wounded in a fight with the Patanis, who were perhaps incited against him ; or in the case of the foundering of the Ardent when her crew, deprived of fresh provisions, died off, the Company showing not a scrap TRUMPETERS OF BUSSA.

of compassion for them, or at least not sending them any help.

From the English point of view, it would be a fairer way of making war to rouse the people of Bussa against us ; but never mind, we have cannon, rifles, and thirty thousand cartridges, so that although the natives do own a certain number of quick-firing weapons, we should be the ones to get the best of it in a fight.