When they begin to trade it takes one day for the head man to settle the investment of the gold in the merchant’s hands, which he has received individually from his companions, giving a separate receipt to each:  after which they all assemble to choose their goods to the amount of each person’s portion.  This is an affair of three or four days.  They do not, however, think it necessary to leave the colony so soon as their business is settled, but remain some time after idling about the streets.  Two or three days before they really intend returning by the canoe to Porto Logo, the whole party call and say that they are going, which is intended as a hint to prepare some present for them.  They repeat their visit the next day, and if they do not receive a present from you, they address you in the following manner.  “Friend,” (calling the merchant by his name, and holding out his hands with extended arms,) “do you see my hands? do you not see that they are empty?  When I go back to my country, my countrymen will ask me if I have seen the great merchant! they will say they doubt me, asking me, at the same time, where are your presents? and if I have nothing to shew they will call me a liar, saying that the great merchant never allowed any one that went to see him, to go away empty-handed.  I came from my country on purpose to see you.  True, I have brought you but little trade this time, but when I go back to my country, and say I have seen the great merchant, and shew them the presents I have received, then they will all want to come, and bring plenty of trade.”  This of course concludes with a present to propitiate the grasping spirit of the African petty dealer.

The goods principally preferred by the Foulahs and Mandingoes, are powder, muskets, fowling-pieces, flints, swords, spear-pointed knives, India blue baft, India white baft, India scarlet silk taffety, red cloth, beads, and tobacco, which they make into snuff, being the only manner in which they use it.

The following amusing dialogue occurred between two sailors who happened to be on the military parade when the soldiers were at drill, going through the evolution of marking time,—­a military manoeuvre by which the feet, as well as the whole body of the person, are kept in motion, presenting a similar appearance to that which they exhibit when they are actually marching.  One observed the other watching the movements of the corps very attentively, with his eyes fixed and his arms akimbo:  “What the h-ll are you looking at?” he inquired.  “Why, Jack,” replied his companion, “I’m thinking there must be a d—­d strong tide running this morning.”  “Why?” said he.  “Why?” answered the other, “why, because these poor beggars have been pulling away this half hour, and have’nt got an inch a head yet!”