the occurrence had taken place, the King despatched my friend Mayho to ascertain the facts of the whole affair. After hearing my story, I could not help admiring his shrewdness and anxiety to investigate the affair honestly. Calling the fellow into the apartment, he questioned him. The inquiry lasted a full hour; after which, Mayho addressed my servant as follows:--“Maurice,” (such was his name,) “I have carefully investigated this affair; and, from your own confession, I find you guilty of one of the greatest crimes you could commit against the Dahoman laws, and I regret much to find a white man guilty of such a crime. However, I am very glad to find that you are not an Englishman. Had you been a black man, your head would have been struck off to-morrow; and even now, if your master makes a formal complaint to the King, your punishment will be severe. However, I shall leave the case entirely to the discretion of your master.” Upon hearing this, I begged that no more notice might be taken of the affair, and at the same time, gave him some cowries to pay his expenses from Dahomey to Whydah. But he was afraid to go by himself. He begged Mayho to allow him a person to accompany him. This request, however, was peremptorily refused, and he was assured, that if he were such a coward as not to dare to go by himself, he was not worthy of any indulgence. He was told he might remain at Dahomey till my return from the Kong Mountains, or accompany me, if I thought proper. The poor creature acknowledged his dread of accompanying me to the Kong Mountains, and also his fear of remaining alone in Dahomey till my return. Whereupon Mayho got so exasperated with the coward, that he declared he would compel him to accompany me to the mountains. This declaration, of course, left him no alternative. So, accordingly, the matter was arranged. FOOTNOTES: [19] Makee is pronounced Mahee in the Kong mountains. CHAPTER XIII. Departure for the Kong Mountains--My Dahoman Guards and their several Duties--The King’s Wife--Neighbouring Krooms--Soil and Aspect of the Country--Varied Scenery--Cana--Bobay--Illness of my Servant--Immense Blocks of Granite--Custom-house--Duties imposed--Milder Laws established--Dtheno--Travelling Traders--The Azowah--Destruction of the Shea Butter-tree--Its Manufacture declared to be lawful--Description of this Tree--Immense Mountains--Ruins of Managlwa--Destruction of that Town by the Dahomans--Beautiful Scenery--Markets--Setta Dean--Reception by the Caboceer--Dance performed by him--Setta--Serenade--Supply of Provisions--Custom of Tasting--The Caboceer’s Speech--The Natives expert as Cooks--Variety of Food--Palm Oil--Occro--Presents from the Caboceer--The Widow’s Mite--Harmless Deception--Presents to the Natives--Dance performed by the Soldiers--Situation of Setta; its Soil, &c.--Its Population.