Children, and Servants for Provisions and other necessaries, because they had no Money left.” From _Great Popoe_ I went to the Road of _Whidaw_, where being informed there was little Trade, I proceeded for _Jaqueen_, which is seven Leagues to the Eastward of it; and anchored in that road the 20th of _February_ 1729-30: At my going on Shore there, the King of _Dahomè_’s Agent came to see me; and upon my enquiring after his Master’s welfare, he told me, “He would send a Messenger to inform his Majesty of my Arrival: But as the King was then in his own Country, far inland, it would be at least twenty days before he could have an Answer.” At his taking leave, he promised to let me know his Master’s Pleasure on the return of the Messenger. Accordingly he came to see me again, about three weeks after his former visit, and told me, “The King was very glad to hear of my being once more arrived at _Jaqueen_; but as he was then far within Land, tho’ he was desirous of seeing me again, yet he could not in reason require it: His Master being sensible, such a long Journey would be neither safe for my Health, nor suitable to my Business; but in case the King came to _Ardra_, whilst I was at _Jaqueen_, which is but two days journey off, and where I had formerly been with his Majesty, he should be very glad to see me there once more.” However, this not happening, I had not the Fortune to see the King a second time. I now come to relate what I heard from several white Gentlemen residing at _Jaqueen_, ever since my former Voyage, concerning the _Whidaws_ and the _Dahomes_. The King of _Whidaw_, with abundance of his People, having fled to the Islands formerly mentioned, the King of _Dahomè_ was disappointed in his design of destroying him, as he had always intended. So that he contented himself with keeping Possession of the Country of _Whidaw_, by an Army encamp’d at _Sabee_, which had been the principal place of the Kingdom, till destroyed by him. But in time this Army being much diminished, it incouraged Captain _Ossue_ to leave the Islands, and settle himself, with many of his People, near the _French_ Fort, which is about four Miles from _Sabee_; believing the great Guns therein would be a sufficient Protection from the _Dahomes_, in case they should offer to disturb him. This Fort had a dry Ditch, with mud Walls made of the Earth that was dug out of it; and was a square place with Towers at each Corner, on which were mounted several Cannons; and their Lodgings, Storehouses, and even their Magazine of Gunpowder, were covered with Rushes, according to the Custom of that Country; which occasioned a terrible Misfortune, as shall be immediately related.