During these Misfortunes of the _Dahomes_, which lasted several Months, various Reports came to _Whidaw_. Sometimes it was said, “That the King of _Dahomè_ was killed:” But that was again contradicted: And it was reported, “he had lost so many of his People, that he never could be again in a Condition to disturb his Neighbours;” and this was so currently believed that no one doubted of it. About this time, which was in the beginning of _July_ 1729, Governor _Wilson_ departed from _Whidaw_, in order to return to _England_. He left in his room one Mr. _Testefole_, who had resided there many Years, but was no ways equal to him in Prudence and Conduct, as his unhappy Fate will afterwards show. For tho’ this Person had been often at the King of _Dahomè_’s Camp, where he was always used with great Civility, yet now believing that King was so far reduced, that the People of _Whidaw_ had nothing more to fear from him; he too hastily advised their King, to leave the barren Islands wherein he had fled with his People, and come and take again Possession of his Country. Hereupon the King of _Whidaw_ resolved to return; and, to provide against the worst, he desired his Neighbours of _Popoe_ to lend him some of their Forces; which they readily did. For these People, with all the _Coast-Negroes_, mortally hate the _Dahomes_, on account of their Cruelty, and their Barbarity in eating human Flesh. And, besides that the _Popoes_ are little afraid of the _Dahomes_ Power, because they live in Islands, they now assisted the _Whidaws_ out of Policy; thinking, if they were reinstated in their Country, Trade would soon revive, which had been so long interrupted on account of the War. So they sent them some thousands of their People; and at their Arrival the King of _Whidaw_ joined them with his Forces. Tho’ he was a very fat unwieldy Man, yet he marched at the head of his Army, which consisted of about fifteen thousand Men, including the _Popoes_, and incamped in his own Country for some time, near the _English_ and _French_ Forts. This the _Dahomes_ knew nothing of; for they had so mean an opinion of the _Whidaws_, that they never thought they would attempt to settle again in their own Country: Neither had they, since the departure of the _J-oes_, sent any of their People to the Sea side, having been employed in repairing their Towns, and about other Affairs. These being near finished, the King of _Dahomè_ sent some of his Traders down with Slaves, to the _English_ and _French_ Forts: But his People were much surprised to see such an Army of _Whidaws_ incamped near them. So they returned in great haste to inform their King, who upon the receipt of this News, was greatly embarassed; for he had lost many of his best Soldiers whilst the _J-oes_ remained in his Country, and kept him so long in the Bushes. Moreover, his Majesty had lately sent an Army into the inland Country, to take Slaves: For as I have formerly observed, he