‘Soon came a great ship to where the river met the sea, and the men of our nation and the king went on board to trade. We had oil to give them, and the teeth of great beasts, and the dust of gold all glittering, which merchants brought from where the sun rises. But the captain said to the king, I not want palm-oil, nor teeth, nor gold. I want men, I want slaves, and I will buy them; not palm-oil, nor teeth, nor gold. When the king heard this, he went to war, and the warriors of my nation went with him. There was a battle, likewise many huts burnt, but the captain gave the king guns, and he returned with many slaves, men and women—for bows and arrows are not so good to fight with as guns, which shoot thunder. Then the slaves were sent on board the great ship, and the captain gave us strong drink, and we were drunk and happy, and we said we would go to war and bring more slaves. ‘So afterwards this was our trade. I likewise went to war—I likewise made slaves. We went many days from the sea, to where there were other nations. We had guns, and they had but bows and arrows, likewise lances, and clubs of wood which fire had hardened. Therefore, many were killed, and many were slaves, and we kept them until ships came, and then sold them, and they were taken away over the sea; but we were rich and powerful, and had plenty of strong drink, which we loved; though many died of it.’ ‘As you will, Wooroo,’ says Captain Garbo, interrupting him, ‘if you only get enough of it.’ ‘Give some now,’ answered the negro. He drank off a small mugful, and went on, with more and more animation, as follows:—