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The village of Melli, in the country of Booroom, stood close to an immense forest; and almost within the forest was the dwelling of Amanqua, the chief. At the back were plantations of various kinds; maize, rice, yams, tobacco, &c. On the one side were poultry-yards and pens for sheep and cattle; and these, as well as the plantations, were fenced round with high bamboo stakes, to prevent the approach of panthers, lions, and other wild beasts: on the other side was the forest. The residence itself was an assemblage of white buildings, thatched with palm-leaves, ranged round a square court. The hall of audience fronted the street; the chief's own sleeping-room stood opposite; the rest of the quadrangle was occupied by the apartments of the women, children, and slaves, mingled with offices for cooking, store-rooms, and the like.

None but Amanqua, his favourite wife, and his visiters, were permitted to enter through the great hall, but there were three other means of ingress and egress: one led into the plantations, and was always fastened, to prevent depredations; a second opened upon the village, and through this came the provisions. With them came all the gossips of the place, who, under pretence of bartering goods, curing disorders, shaving children's heads, and procuring charms, retailed all the scandal they could pick up, or, in the dearth of realities,