In the evening I was again visited by the two caboceers, whom I treated with a flask of rum to distribute amongst his head men. I also gave him a piece of romall (cloth), which I invariably gave the caboceers in whose towns I lodged, as well as some Jew’s harps, and two knives, with some papers of needles and a few thimbles, which were much prized. I then signified my intention to proceed on my journey early next morning, when the old man pressed me much to stop another day. This I certainly would have done, had I not been afraid of being more seriously attacked by fever and ague, as my quarters were very pleasant, and the people extremely kind. A great many visitors came with small presents during the remainder of the evening to inquire after my health, as well as for the purpose of seeing white man, to all of whom I gave some trifling article in return. The thermometer ranged at Jallakoo from 71° to 80°, Fahrenheit, which, it will be observed, is much colder than on the coast in the coldest season. FOOTNOTES: [19] The names Tetay, Bosou, and Kudjo, are all common along the coast from Whydah to Cape Coast, and are given from the days of the week on which they are born. CHAPTER XI. My continued Illness--The Koffo--The Langhbo--Bivouac--Keep Sentinel--Shea-butter Trees--Springs impregnated with Iron--Gijah--Poverty of the Caboceer--Hospitality of Atihoh, the Merchant--Doko--Met by the Avoga of Whydah--Etiquette with regard to the Time of entering a Town--Enter Abomey--My Servant Maurice takes to his Bed--Sudden Change in the Temperature--Visit to the King--His gratification at my safe Return--My Conversation with his Majesty--His Views with regard to the Slave Trade--His desire to cede Whydah to the English Government--Dictates a Letter to me to that effect--His Costly Tobes--Singular Piece of Patch-Work. August 21st.--Early in the morning I got up to prepare for the march, but although the attack of ague had been lighter than on the previous night, I still felt extremely weak and in low spirits. To remedy this, I again resorted to another dose of sedative of opium, which in a short time operated effectually. The caboceers and a great part of the population accompanied me some distance out of the town, during which the Jallakoo soldiers kept up a constant but irregular fire of musketry. The old man then shook hands, expressing every good wish for my future success, hoping that I should soon return to his country again, that he might see me once more before he should die. This solemn expression made for a time a deep impression on my mind. Though in a comparatively savage state this venerable patriarch was conscious that the hand of death would soon be upon him.