In some large trees in this market-place was a cranery, the birds in which were composed of three different colours, and I believe of distinct species, namely, white, blue, and brown, like the sparrow-hawk. They are never allowed to be disturbed or molested in any way, either in the cranery or in its vicinity. In a short time the crowd dispersed with as much precipitation as they had collected, several people advancing with immense thongs of bullocks’ hides fastened to a handle, like a hunting-whip, and laying about them right and left indiscriminately upon all who came in their way. These, it appeared, were market-constables, who are employed by the king, or gadadoo, to preserve order, and protect property in the market. These people are paid by a tax upon a portion of every article of provision exposed. Upon other articles a duty is charged in cowries. These men were clearing a passage for their master to advance. The procession was nearly the same as that I last described, with the exception of a stringed musical instrument of a different construction to any I had before observed. It is merely a plain piece of board, about twenty inches long and nine wide, with a piece of large bamboo cane laid across near each end, which forms the bridge, over which the strings, eight in number, pass. These strings are tightened or slackened in the same manner as our violin, but the instrument is slung from the shoulder, and is played guitar-fashion. The sound of this instrument appeared to me more musical than any native instrument I had yet heard, though near the coast I have seen instruments on a somewhat similar principle, being merely a small block of wood hollowed out, and a piece of hide with the hair shaven off covering over the concave part. This, when dry, becomes hard, and the strings are passed over two bridges, one at each end; but the sound of this instrument is not equal to that I have just described. The chief conducted us into the inner market, where all was bustle and confusion. We marched into the centre, where seats were provided for us, although the chief and his people contented themselves with lying down during the palaver. We informed him of our purpose in visiting his country, and of our wish to overtake Terrasso-weea, for whom the chief professed great friendship. Here we cooked some of our provision, and remained to dine, the chief presenting us with some native ale (peto), but much staler than any I had before tasted. Probably this acidity was caused by its being kept too long. The articles exposed in this market were much the same as those I have previously mentioned, but the only native manufacture I saw was cloth.