38 THE AFRICAN TRADER.

white headed old negro in a glazed cocked hat, a
red hunting coat on his shoulders, a flannel petticoat
round his waist, and a pair of worsted slippers on
his feet. The pilot, who had remained on board,
notified to the captain, with great formality, that
he was King Dingo, coming to receive his dash or
payment for allowing us to trade with his people.
His majesty was received with due ceremony, and
conducted into the cabin, when, as soon as he was
seated, notwithstanding the early hour of the day,
he signified that it was his royal pleasure to be
presented with » bottle of rum. Having taken two
or three glasses, which seemed to have no other
effect on him than sharpening his wits, he handed
it to one of his attendants, and then applied himself
to the breakfast, which had just been placed on the
table, and I dare not say how many cups of coffee,
sweetened. to the brim with sugar, he swallowed in
rapid succession. Having received half a dozen
muskets, as many kegs of powder, brass pans, wash
basins, plates, gunflints, and various cotton articles,
as his accustomed dash, and requested a dozen
bottles of rum in addition, he took his departure,
promising to come again and do a little trade on
his own account.