We passed through several minor markets on our way to my quarters, then from one court-yard to another, till we at last reached the house appointed for us, which, according to my ideas, ill corresponded with the description given by the young caboceer of his town. The house was so low in the doorway, that I was compelled to enter on my hands and knees, and when I had passed through a partition into the inner apartment, which was as dark as a dungeon, I was obliged to burn a light. I felt much annoyed at this, and refused to remain there, looking upon it as an insult. Upon this circumstance being made known, several of the trading merchants from Abomey kindly proffered me their houses, provided the caboceer had no objections. A messenger was consequently despatched to communicate my dissatisfaction with my lodgings to the caboceer, who appeared quite surprised, and came back with my messenger to make personal inquiry respecting it. Upon his inquiring why I objected to the apartment, I told him my first impression was that it must have been used as a prison, on account of its strength and darkness, being without any aperture to admit of light, except the low doorway. In explanation he informed me, that in his country the greater part of the houses were purposely so constructed, to prevent the inmates from being seen by a passer-by, who might shoot them with their arrows, in time of war, which was a common practice; and that this house had been selected as a security against such an occurrence. However, I chose the house of the merchant, which was tolerably comfortable; but felt rather feverish, and had also a slight touch of ague. I found it necessary, therefore, to take more medicine, which so much alarmed my caboceer, that he refused all sorts of food whatever, complaining bitterly of the advantage taken in stealing a march upon him into the country of enemies, thereby endangering his life as well as my own. He declared his conviction, that I had contracted my illness through excessive fatigue and exposure in the Fellattah country. However, two doses of James’s powder and opium considerably subdued my fever. Here we were, as usual, supplied with large quantities of provision ready cooked, both by the caboceer and merchants. Late in the evening the caboceer again visited me, bringing with him some rum as well as some cherry brandy, which he proudly boasted had been sent him by the King of Dahomey. After he had distributed these, I gave him the contents of a flask of rum from my own stores, a box of lucifer matches, and a large Jew’s harp, which seemed to afford him much pleasure. At a late hour he and his head-men retired to their homes, much to my satisfaction, for I felt much in want of rest. CHAPTER X.