THE DICTATOR OF GRAND BASSA 247

ing weight of water from the stream half a mile
away. If she could make lightning, why did she not
burn the prison down or strike the dilatory Com-
missioner dead? Very likely she had made lightning
(I could not disbelieve these stories; they were too
well attested), but perhaps the natural force had died
in her during her imprisonment, or perhaps she
simply hadn't the right medicines with her in that
place. I asked the Quartermaster when she would be
tried; he didn't know.

The council in the palaver-house went on till after
five: the place was packed. It must have been
appallingly hot. One suspected that the whole inquiry
was designed to quiet the chiefs rather than try the
Commissioners, for the judge was a cousin of the
principal accused. But at any rate he showed patience
and endurance.

Later that evening came the ceremony of lowering
the Liberian flag, carried out with solemnity; two
buglers played a few bars of the national anthem—

In joy and gladness with our hearts united,
We'll shout the freedom of a land benighted .. /

and everyone on the verandahs stood at attention.
When it was over I sent a note across to Colonel
Davis asking for an interview and received a reply
that he was worn out by nine hours of council, but
would spare me a few minutes.

The 'few minutes' developed into several hours, for
the Colonel was garrulous, and after more than an
hour's conversation on his verandah, we adjourned
to mine for whisky. He had once been a private m