No women or children were to be seen, and the expression of the men was that of fear rather than curiosity.
"They are afraid of the Fans," Mr.Goodenough said.

"The other tribes all have a species of terror of these cannibals.

We must reassure them as soon as possible." A long palaver then took place with the chief, with whose language one of the Fans was sufficiently acquainted to make himself understood.
It was rather a tedious business, as each speech had to be translated twice, through Ostik and the Fan.
Mr.Goodenough informed the chief that the white men were friends of his people, that they had come to see the country and give presents to the chiefs, that they only wished to pass quietly through and to journey unmolested, and that they would pay handsomely for food and all that they required.

They wished to obtain bearers for their baggage, and these they would pay in cloth and brass rods, and as soon as they procured carriers the Fans would return to their own country.
The chief answered expressing his gratification at seeing white men in his village, saying that the king would, no doubt, carry out all their wishes.

One of the boxes was opened and he was presented with five yards of bright colored calico, a gaudy silk handkerchief, and several strings of bright beads.