The goggles created some mirth; so did the scissors, as Bombay, to show their use, clipped his beard, and the lucifers were considered a wonder; but the king scarcely moved or uttered any remarks till all was over, when, at the instigation of the courtiers, my chronometer was asked for and shown.

This wonderful instrument, said the officers (mistaking it for my compass), was the magic horn by which the white men found their way everywhere.

Kamrasi said he must have it, for, besides it, the gun was the only thing new to him.

The chronometer, however, I said, was the only one left, and could not possibly be parted with; though, if Kamrasi liked to send men to Gani, a new one could be obtained for him.
Then, changing the subject, much to my relief, Kamrasi asked Bombay, "Who governs England ?" "A woman." "Has she any children ?" "Yes," said Bombay, with ready impudence; "these are two of them" (pointing to Grant and myself).

That settled, Kamrasi wished to know if we had any specked cows, or cows of any peculiar colour, and would we like to change four large cows for four small ones, as he coveted some of ours.