My business habits and systematic devotion to the Mongo's interests
soon made me familiar with the broad features of "country trade;" but
as I was still unable to speak the coast dialects, Mr. Ormond--who
rarely entered the warehouse or conversed about commerce--supplied an
adroit interpreter, who stood beside me and assisted in the retail of
foreign merchandise, for rice, ivory, palm-oil, and domestic
provisions. The purchase of slaves and gold was conducted exclusively
by the Mongo, who did not consider me sufficiently initiated in native
character and tricks to receive so delicate a trust.
* * * * *
Long and dreary were the days and nights of the apparently
interminable "wet season." Rain in a city, rain in the country, rain
in a village, rain at sea, are sufficiently wearying, even to those
whose mental activity is amused or occupied by books or the concerns
of life; but who can comprehend the insufferable lassitude and
despondency that overwhelm an African resident, as he lies on his
mat-covered arm-chest, and listens to the endless deluge pouring for
days, weeks, months, upon his leaky thatch?
At last, however, the season of rain passed by, and the "dry season"
set in. This was the epoch for the arrival of caravans from the
interior; so that we were not surprised when our runners appeared,
with news that AHMAH-DE-BELLAH, son of a noted Fullah chief, was
about to visit the Rio Pongo with an imposing train of followers and
merchandise. The only means of communication with the interior of
Africa are, for short distances, by rivers, and, for longer ones, by
"paths" or "trails" leading through the dense forest and among the
hills, to innumerable "towns" that stud this prolific land. Stephenson
and McAdam have not been to Africa, and there are neither turnpikes
nor railways. Now, when the coast-traders of the west are apprised
that caravans are threading their way towards the Atlantic shores, it
is always thought advisable to make suitable preparations for the
chiefs, and especially to greet them by messages, before their arrival
at the beach. Accordingly, "_barkers_" are sent forth on the forest
"paths" to welcome the visitors with gifts of tobacco and powder.
"_Barkers_" are colored gentlemen, with fluent tongues and flexible
consciences, always in the train of factories on the coast, who hasten
to the wilderness at the first signal of a caravan's approach, and
magnify the prosperity and merchandise of their patrons with as much
zeal and veracity as the "drummers" of more Christian lands.
A few days after our band of travelling agents had departed on their
mission, the crack of fire-arms was heard from the hills in our rear,
signifying that the Mongo's "_barkers_" had been successful with the
caravan in tow. A prompt response to the joyous signal was made by our
cannons; so that, after half an hour's firing, Ahmah-de-Bellah and his
party emerged from the smoke, marshalled by our band of singers, who
preceded him, chanting with loud voices the praise of the youthful
chieftain. Behind the master came the principal traders and their
slaves laden with produce, and followed by forty captive negroes,
secured by bamboo withes. These were succeeded by three-score
bullocks, a large flock of sheep or goats, and the females of the
party; while the procession was closed by the demure tread of a tame
and stately OSTRICH!
It was the first time I had seen so odd an assemblage of beasts and
humanity. Indeed, had the troupe been accompanied by a bevy of
ourang-outangs, I confess I might, at times, have had difficulty in
deciding the grade of animal life to which the object in front of me
belonged.
Mr. Ormond, when put upon his mettle, was one of the ablest traders
in Africa, and received the Mahometan strangers with becoming state.
He awaited Ahmah-de-Bellah and his committee of head-traders on the
piazza of his receiving-house, which was a rather stately edifice, one
hundred and fifty feet in length, built to be fire-proof for the
protection of our stores. When each Fullah stranger was presented, he
shook hands and "snapped fingers" with the Mongo several times; and,
as every petty peddler in the train wanted to _salaam_, the "white man
for good luck," the process of presentation occupied at least an hour.
According to coast custom, as soon as these compliments were over, the
caravan's merchandise was deposited within our walls, not only for
security, but in order that we might gauge the _value of the welcome_
the owners were entitled to receive. This precaution, though
ungallant, is extremely necessary, inasmuch as many of the interior
dealers were in the habit of declaring, on arrival, the value of their
gold and ivory to be much greater than it was in fact, in order to
receive a more liberal "present." Even savages instinctively acquire
the tricks of trade!
When the goods were stored, a couple of fat bullocks, with an abundant
supply of rice, were given to the visitors, and the chiefs of the
caravan were billeted upon our townspeople. The _canaille_ built
temporary huts for themselves in the outskirts; while Ahmah-de-Bellah,
a strict Mahometan, accompanied by two of his wives, was furnished
with a pair of neat houses that had been hastily fitted up with new
and elegant mats.[A]
While the merchandise of these large caravans is unpaid for, their
owners, by the custom of the country, remain a costly burden upon the
factories. We were naturally anxious to be free from this expense as
soon as possible, and gave notice next morning that "trade would begin
forthwith." Ahmah-de-Bellah, the chiefs of the caravans, and Mr.
Ormond, at once entered into negotiations, so that by nightfall a
bargain had been struck, not only for their presents, but for the
price of merchandise, and the percentage to be retained as "native
duty." Such a preliminary liquidation with _the heads_ of a caravan is
ever indispensable, for, without their assistance, it would be out of
the question to traffic with the ragamuffins who hang on the skirts of
opulent chieftains.
Each morning, at daylight, a crier went through the town, announcing
the character of the specific trade which would be carried on during
hours of business. One day it was in hides; another, rice; another,
cattle. When these were disposed of, a time was specially appointed
for the exchange of gold, ivory and slaves; and, at the agreed hour,
Mr. Ormond, Ahmah-de-Bellah, and myself, locked the doors of the
warehouse, and traded through a window, while our "barkers"
distributed the goods to the Africans, often using their whips to keep
the chattering and disputatious scamps in order. Ahmah-de-Bellah
pretended to inspect the measurement of cloth, powder and tobacco, to
insure justice to his compatriots; but, in reality, like a true
tax-gatherer, he was busy ascertaining his lawful percentage on the
sale, in return for the protection from robbery he gave the petty
traders on their pilgrimage to the coast.
At length the market was cleared of sellers and merchandise--except
the ostrich, which, when all was over, reached the Mongo's hands as a
royal gift from the Ali-Mami of Footha-Yallon, the pious father of
Ahmah-de-Bellah. The bird, it is true, was presented as a free
offering; yet it was hinted that the worthy Ali stood in need of
reliable muskets, which his son would take charge of on the journey
home. As twenty of those warlike instruments were dispatched by
Ahmah-de-Bellah, the ostrich became rather a costly as well as
characteristic gift. Each of the traders, moreover, expected a
"bungee" or "dash" of some sort, in token of good will, and in
proportion to his sales; so that we hastened to comply with all the
common-law customs of the country, in order to liberate Bangalang from
the annoying crowd. They dropped off rapidly as they were paid; and in
a short time Ahmah-de-Bellah, his wives, and immediate followers, were
all that remained of the seven hundred Fullahs.
Ahmah-de-Bellah was a fine specimen of what may be considered "Young
Africa," though he can hardly be classed among the progressives or
revolutionary propagandists of the age. In person he was tall,
graceful, and commanding. As the son of an important chief, he had
been free from those menial toils which, in that climate, soon
obliterate all intellectual characteristics. His face was well formed
for an African's. His high and broad brow arched over a straight nose,
while his lips had nothing of that vulgar grossness which gives so
sensual an expression to his countrymen. Ahmah's manners to strangers
or superiors were refined and courteous in a remarkable degree; but to
the mob of the coast and inferiors generally, he manifested that harsh
and peremptory tone which is common among the savages of a fiery
clime.
Ahmah-de-Bellah was second son of the Ali-Mami, or King of
Footha-Yallon, who allowed him to exercise the prerogative of leading
for the first time, a caravan to the seaboard, in honor of attaining
the discreet age of "twenty four rainy seasons." The privilege
however, was not granted without a view to profit by the courage of
his own blood; for the Ali-Mami was never known to suffer a son or
relative to depart from his jurisdiction without a promise of _half_
the products of the lucrative enterprise.
The formation of a caravan, when the king's permission has been
finally secured, is a work of time and skill. At the beginning of the
"dry season," the privileged chieftain departs with power of life and
death over his followers, and "squats" in one of the most frequented
"paths" to the sea, while he dispatches small bands of daring
retainers to other trails throughout the neighborhood, to blockade
every passage to the beach. The siege of the highways is kept up with
vigor for a month or more, by these black Rob Roys and Robin Hoods,
until a sufficient number of traders may be trapped to constitute a
valuable caravan, and give importance to its leader. While this is the
main purpose of the forest adventure, the occasion is taken advantage
of to collect a local tribute, due by small tribes to the Ali, which
could not be obtained otherwise. The despotic officer, moreover,
avails himself of the blockade to stop malefactors and absconding
debtors. Goods that are seized in the possession of the latter may be
sequestrated to pay his creditors; but if their value is not equal to
the debt, the delinquent, if a pagan, is sold as a slave, but is let
off with a _bastinado_, if he proves to be "one of the faithful."
It is natural to suppose that every effort is made by the small
traders of the interior to avoid these savage press-gangs. The poor
wretches are not only subjected to annoying vassalage by ruffian
princes, but the blockade of the forest often diverts them from the
point they originally designed to reach,--forces them to towns or
factories they had no intention of visiting,--and, by extreme delay,
wastes their provisions and diminishes their frugal profits. It is
surprising to see how admirably even savages understand and exercise
the powers of sovereignty and the rights of transit!
* * * * *
While Ahmah-de-Bellah tarried at Bangalang, it was my habit to visit
him every night to hear his interesting chat, as it was translated by
an interpreter. Sometimes, in return, I would recount the adventures
of my sea-faring life, which seemed to have a peculiar flavor for this
child of the wilderness, who now gazed for the first time on the
ocean. Among other things, I strove to convince him of the world's
rotundity; but, to the last, he smiled incredulously at my daring
assertion, and closed the argument by asking me to prove it from the
Koran? He allowed me the honors due a traveller and "book-man;" but a
mind that had swallowed, digested, and remembered every text of
Mahomet's volume, was not to be deceived by such idle fantasies. He
kindly undertook to conquer my ignorance of his creed by a careful
exposition of its mysteries in several long-winded lectures, and I was
so patient a listener, that I believe Ahmah was entirely satisfied of
my conversion.
My seeming acquiescence was well repaid by the Fullah's confidence. He
returned my nightly calls with interest; and, visiting me in the
warehouse during hours of business, became so fervently wrapped up in
my spiritual salvation, that he would spout Mahometanism for hours
through an interpreter. To get rid of him, one day, I promised to
follow the Prophet with pleasure if he consented to receive me; but I
insisted on entering the "fold of the faithful" _without_ submitting
to the peculiar rite of Mussulman baptism!
Ahmah-de-Bellah took the jest kindly, laughing like a good fellow,
and from that day forward, we were sworn cronies. The Fullah at once
wrote down a favorite prayer in Arabic, requiring as my spiritual
guide, that I should commit it to memory for constant and ready use.
After a day or two, he examined me in the ritual; but, finding I was
at fault after the first sentence, reproached me pathetically upon my
negligence and exhorted me to repentance,--much to the edification of
our interpreter, who was neither Jew, Christian, nor Mussulman.
But the visit of the young chieftain, which began in trade and tapered
off in piety, drew to a close. Ahmah-de-Bellah began to prepare for
his journey homeward. As the day of departure approached, I saw that
my joke had been taken seriously by the Fullah, and that he _relied_
upon my apostasy. At the last moment, Ahmah tried to put me to a
severe test, by suddenly producing the holy book, and requiring me to
seal our friendship by an oath that I would never abandon Islamism. I
contrived, however, adroitly to evade the affirmation by feigning an
excessive anxiety to acquire more profound knowledge of the Koran,
before I made so solemn a pledge.
* * * * *
It came to pass that, out of the forty slaves brought in the caravan,
the Mongo rejected eight. After some altercation, Ahmah-de-Bellah
consented to discard seven; but he insisted that the remaining veteran
should be shipped, as he could neither _kill_ nor send him back to
Footha-Yallon.
I was somewhat curious to know the crime this culprit had committed,
which was so heinous as to demand his perpetual exile, though it
spared his life. The chief informed me that the wretch had slain his
son; and, as there was no punishment for such an offence assigned by
the Koran, the judges of his country condemned him to be sold _a slave
to Christians_,--a penalty they considered worse than death.
Another curious feature of African law was developed in the sale of
this caravan. I noticed a couple of women drawn along with ropes
around their necks, while others of their sex and class were suffered
to wander about without bonds. These females, the chief apprised us,
would have been burnt in his father's domains for witchcraft, had not
his venerable ancestor been so much distressed for powder that he
thought their lives would be more valuable to his treasury than their
carcasses to outraged law.
It was a general complaint among the companions of Ahmah-de-Bellah
that the caravan was scant of slaves in consequence of this
unfortunate lack of powder. The young chieftain promised better things
in future. Next year, the Mongo's barracoons should teem with his
conquests. When the "rainy season" approached, the Ali-Mami, his
father, meant to carry on a "great war" against a variety of small
tribes, whose captives would replenish the herds, that, two years
before, had been carried off by a sudden blight.
I learned from my intelligent Fullah, that while the Mahometan courts
of his country rescued by law the people of their own faith from
slavery, they omitted no occasion to inflict it, as a penalty, upon
the African "unbelievers" who fell within their jurisdiction. Among
these unfortunates, the smallest crime is considered capital, and a
"capital crime" merits the profitable punishment of slavery. Nor was
it difficult, he told me, for a country of "true believers" to acquire
a multitude of bondsmen. They detested the institution, it is true,
among themselves, and among their own caste, but it was both right and
reputable among the unorthodox. The Koran commanded the "subjugation
of the tribes to the true faith," so that, to enforce the Prophet's
order against infidels, they resorted to the white man's cupidity,
which authorized its votaries to enslave the negro! My inquisitiveness
prompted me to demand whether these holy wars spoken of in the Koran
were not somewhat stimulated, in our time, at least, by the profits
that ensued; and I even ventured to hint that it was questionable
whether the mighty chief of Footha-Yallon would willingly storm a
Kaffir fortification, were he not prompted by the booty of slaves!
Ahmah-de-Bellah was silent for a minute, when his solemn face
gradually relaxed into a quizzical smile, as he replied that, in
truth, Mahometans were no worse than Christians, so that it was quite
likely,--if the white elect of heaven, who knew how to make powder
and guns, did not tempt the black man with their weapons,--the
commands of Allah would be followed with less zeal, and implements not
quite so dangerous!
I could not help thinking that there was a good deal of quiet satire
in the gossip of this negro prince. According to the custom of his
country, we "exchanged names" at parting; and, while he put in my
pocket the gift of a well-thumbed _Koran_, I slung over his shoulder a
_double-barrelled gun_. We walked side by side for some miles into the
forest, as he went forth from Bangalang; and as we "cracked fingers"
for farewell, I promised, with my hand on my heart, that the "next dry
season" I would visit his father, the venerable Ali-Mami, in his realm
of Footha-Yallon.
FOOTNOTE:
[A] As it may be interesting to learn the nature of trade on this
coast,--_which is commonly misunderstood at consisting in slaves
alone_,--I thought it well to set down the inventory I made out of the
caravan's stock and its result, as the various items were intrusted to
my guardianship. The body of the caravan itself consisted of seven
hundred persons, principally men; while the produce was as follows:
3,500 hides $1,750
19 large and prime teeth of ivory, 1,560
Gold, 2,500
600 pounds small ivory, 320
15 tons of rice, 600
40 slaves, 1,600
36 bullocks, 360
Sheep, goats, butter, vegetables, 100
900 pounds bees-wax, 95
-------
Total value of the caravan's merchandise, $8,885
-------
Our profits on this speculation were very flattering, both as regards
sales and acquisitions. Rice cost us one cent per pound; hides were
delivered at eighteen or twenty cents each; a bullock was sold for
twenty or thirty pounds of tobacco; sheep, goats or hogs, cost two
pounds of tobacco, or a fathom of common cotton, each; ivory was
purchased at the rate of a dollar the pound for the best, while
inferior kinds were given at half that price. In fact, the profit on
our merchandise was, at least, one hundred and fifty per cent. As gold
commands the very best fabrics in exchange, and was paid for at the
rate of sixteen dollars an ounce, we made but seventy per cent. on the
article. The slaves were delivered at the rate of one hundred "_bars_"
each. The "_bar_" is valued on the coast at half a dollar; but a pound
and a half of tobacco is also a "bar," as well as a fathom of ordinary
cotton cloth, or a pound of powder, while a common musket is equal to
twelve "bars." Accordingly, where slaves were purchased for one
hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco, only eighteen dollars were, in
reality, paid; and when one hundred pounds of powder were given, we
got them for twenty dollars each. Our _British_ muskets cost us but
three dollars apiece; yet we seldom purchased negroes for this article
alone. If the women, offered in the market, exceeded twenty-five years
of age, we made a deduction of twenty per cent.; but if they were
stanchly-built, and gave promising tokens for the future, we took them
at the price of an able-bodied man. The same estimate was made for
youths over four feet four inches high; but children were rarely
purchased at the factories, though they might be advantageously traded
in the native towns.