My lonely Situation--Akwoaay, its Population, &c.--Kind Reception by the Gadadoo--Native House of two Stories--Gigantic Cotton-tree--Etay, a Vegetable of the Yam tribe--Voracity of the Natives--Soil, Manufactures, &c. of Akwoaay--Natives of Porto Sogoora--Visit of the Caboceer--Mode of catching Crabs--Great Heat--Visit from Native Women--Mr. Lawson of Popoe--Character of the Natives--Attempt at Murder--Nocturnal Visit--Superstition--Vicinity of a Fetish-house--Flocks of Monkeys--The Monkey, an article of Food--Disagreeable Situation--Cravings of Hunger--Visit to the Greejee Market--An Alligator killed--Usual Notice to the Authorities on such occasions--The Alligator used as Food--Cruelty of the Natives to the Horse--Return to Whydah--Bad Conduct of my Canoemen--Adventures--Arrival at Whydah--Preparations for my Journey to Abomey--Country around Whydah--Farms--Emigrants from Sierra Leone Slave-dealers--Generosity of the King of Dahomey--Soil of Whydah--Corn-mill--Ferns, Vegetables, Fruits, &c. I now began to reflect a little on the occurrences of the morning, with feelings mingled alternately with anger and regret. Sometimes I felt vexed that I had not punished the villany shown towards me more severely, at others I regretted breaking the old man’s musket, and that I had perhaps disabled him for life. This was the first time that I had ever felt the loneliness of my situation in Africa. As soon, however, as my thoughts turned upon something else this melancholy feeling was forgotten, and my men with much satisfaction gaily urged our canoe down the stream till they reached the lake, which being at this time rather rough, our progress was slow till we reached towards the windward side, where the water was more calm. This lake, the extent of which I have already mentioned, is during the dry season not more than four feet and a half deep upon an average. After passing down the lake four or five miles, I determined to visit a town of considerable size on the left bank. This town is named Akwoaay, and may contain seven or eight thousand inhabitants. It is beautifully situated on a rising ground, shaded with fine trees of different descriptions. The houses are built of better materials and proportion than those of any of the towns I had visited on the banks of the river between Whydah and this place. The caboceer is also called gadadoo, which he claims as his name, as well as marking the rank he holds as ruler or king.