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This man said, that his master, named Mallam Dendo, had commissioned him to acquaint them, that he heartily concurred with the king of Nouffie in the favourable opinions and sentiments which the latter entertained for them.
I'll send some of your black fellows to come if you give up your pistols and gun." "What!" roared Mallam. "I'm king here, and here, you tell the doctor to come to me directly." "Shan't," growled Bostock. "Big Dan brokum," whispered Black Jackum. "Yes," said Carey, "both legs." "Black Jackum go and men'. No. Big Dan shoot um."
At length when their uneasiness was at its height, they saw the chief advancing towards them with a train of followers. The mallam and all his principal people were with him, bringing numerous jars of palm wine. A mat was spread near the water-side, whereon the chief sat himself, and the Landers were instantly desired to place themselves one on each side of his person.
There was a savage roar from the beachcomber, and as Bostock hurried along the quarter-deck and descended to the cabin entrance two shots were fired in rapid succession. "Big Dan go mumkull kill a feller," whispered Jackum, as the exchange of words came to where they stood listening. "Drop that! D'yer hear?" roared Bostock. "Drop it, before I come and finish you off." "Yes; come!" snarled Mallam.
Of all the vices of which these mahommedan priests were guilty, and by all accounts they were not a few, slander and defamation appeared to be by far the most general. Never did they hear a mallam speak of his neighbours in terms of common respect. According to his account they were all the vilest creatures under the sun, not one escaping the lash of his censure.
When, however, he did come back, and entered the hut, he looked very wistfully, and informed them with considerable agitation both of voice and manner, that Mallam Dendo had expressed to him the greatest dissatisfaction at the things which he had received from them as presents, declaring them to be perfectly worthless, and with the exception of the looking-glass, "fit only for a child," that he well knew they could have sent him something more useful and of greater value, if they had thought proper; but that if they persisted in their refusal to do so, he should demand of them their guns, pistols, and powder, before he would consent or permit them to leave Zagozhi.
"Oh, don't say that, my lad; but hullo! what's wrong with your chesty? You keep putting your hand there." "I don't think it's much," said the boy. "Never mind now. It hurts badly now and then. Mallam shot at me." Bang!
Just as the travellers were hoping to recommence their voyage, old Pasco returned from Mallam Dendow with the unpleasant information that the chief was dissatisfied with the gifts he had received, and that unless they would present him with others of more value he would take their guns and powder from them before he would permit them to leave Zagozhi.
When reminded of his rogueries he only laughed, and then in the most impertinent manner begged for everything he saw. Lander consequently turned him out of the hut. They found here Mallam Dendow, a cousin of Bello, very old and feeble.
"I've only to say a word to my black fellows, and, in spite of your kicking, over you'd go into water that swarms with sharks; but when a man insults me, Dan Mallam, King o' the Pearl Islands, my temper gets warm, and I show my boys what a shot I am. Do you hear?"
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