Thou nest of Sultans full of guile, Embracing Zanzibar the vile And Egypt, watered by the Nile (Egypt, which is, as I believe, The property of the Khedive):-- Containing in thy many states Two independent potentates, And one I may not name. (Look carefully at number three, Not independent quite, but he Is more than what he used to be.) To thee, dear goal, so long deferred Like old Æneas--in a word To Africa we came. We beached upon a rising tide At Sasstown on the western side; And as we touched the strand I thought--(I may have been mistook)-- I thought the earth in terror shook To feel its Conquerors land. VI. In getting up our Caravan We met a most obliging man, The Lord Chief Justice of Liberia, And Minister of the Interior; Cain Abolition Beecher Boz, Worked like a Nigger--which he was-- And in a single day Procured us Porters, Guides, and kit, And would not take a sou for it Until we went away.[4] [4] But when we went away, we found A deficit of several pound. [Illustration ** Large well-dressed African man doffing his hat to our traveller, who is holding his hat in deference.] We wondered how this fellow made Himself so readily obeyed, And why the natives were so meek; Until by chance we heard him speak, And then we clearly understood How great a Power for Social Good The African can be. He said with a determined air: “You are not what your fathers were; Liberians, you are Free! Of course, if you refuse to go--” And here he made a gesture so. [Illustration ** A well-dressed African man with walking stick, ax and belligerent expression.] He also gave us good advice Concerning Labour and its Price. “In dealing wid de Native Scum, Yo’ cannot pick an’ choose; Yo’ hab to promise um a sum Ob wages, paid in Cloth and Rum. But, Lordy! that’s a ruse! Yo’ get yo’ well on de Adventure, And change de wages to Indenture.” We did the thing that he projected, The Caravan grew disaffected, And Sin and I consulted; Blood understood the Native mind. He said: “We must be firm but kind.” A Mutiny resulted. I never shall forget the way That Blood upon this awful day Preserved us all from death. He stood upon a little mound, Cast his lethargic eyes around, And said beneath his breath: “Whatever happens we have got The Maxim Gun, and they have not.” [Illustration ** Blood, a stout man, with Maxim Gun.]