224 JOURNEY WITHOUT MAPS

would give him prestige. He sent for a chicken and
some eggs but nobody brought them. He swore at
everyone he could see; he was almost in tears with
vexation.

"My name," a voice said softly behind me, *\
Steve Dunbar. I am very pleased to meet you. These
chairs are yours? They are very nice. I have been
looking at your beds." I looked round. A middle-
aged Mandingo in a scarlet fez and a native robe
nodded and smiled. He spoke excellent English. He
said, "You are travelling through our country. I hope
you have met hospitality everywhere. Your chairs
are very interesting. I have not seen anything lite
them."

"They fold up," I said.

"That is very interesting. I will buy one of them."

He told me again, "My name is Steve Dunbar, I
am interested also in your bed. And this table" fit
was a card-table bought for three and elevenpence),
"That too folds up? I will buy that."

I said, "I'm sorry. You see, we've got to get to
Monrovia. I can't possibly sell them before that"

He changed the subject quite suddenly. 'This
chief," he said "is a good young man. If you warn
anything done tell me." I said I wanted chop for ^he
men; I would pay a good dash for it in the morni&g,
Bfe told the chief. "The chief," he said, "agrees."

"I want the chop quite early," I said. "They didn't
have much food last night."

The chief fanned himself with the Boy Scout caf
He was hot and excited. He sent several men off is
different directions.
"You are going to Ganta?" Steve Dunbar said.