My opposition to his proposal did not altogether seem to meet the chief’s approval. He next pretended to doubt whether we ought to be allowed to pass through the country without the great king of the country being made aware of our intentions. Again, however, the old man failed in his object, for my Fellattah soldier informed him that the great king of his country had already been made aware of our presence, and had also sanctioned our march through his dominions. Being thus frustrated at all points, the old man demanded what white man was going to _dash_ him, or what present he was going to make him. In return, I asked him what he intended to give me as a stranger visiting his country. He answered, that no white man had ever been in that country before, and it was very probable that no other might ever come again, and he should like to have something to hand down to his descendants as a memorial of a white man having once been there. Gain seemed his only object, and his wish to forward a messenger to Terrasso-weea was merely to detain me in order to have a chance of obtaining presents. I gave him some new gilt buttons, and a large Jew’s harp, as well as some needles, and two thimbles. I played several tunes upon the Jew’s harp, with which he seemed much delighted. He then introduced me to his harem, which was composed of about one hundred and twenty females of considerable beauty, being much fairer than any I had seen since leaving Abomey. Their features and figures were very good, though their hair was woolly, but much longer than I had before seen of the woolly tribes. These women were all enclosed within a wall of about three feet and a half high. Some of them seemed gratified, while others seemed quite the reverse; but the chief’s females were not the only fair women in the place. The generality of the inhabitants were equally as fair. I was offered my choice of one for forty-two thousand cowries; but I informed the seller that I was not at present in want of any slaves, or a wife. This surprised him very much, for he declared that he himself could not live with less than twenty wives, but that he had a very great many more. He picked out his principal or favourite wife, to whom he introduced me, doubtless with a view of obtaining some presents for her; but I could not understand the hint, as I found my little stock fast decreasing.