Evidently there was wealth in the land.
After the food had been handed to him the litter went on again, and seated upon his cushions, he ate and drank heartily enough, for now that the worst of his fatigue had passed away, his hunger was great.

In some absurd fashion this meal reminded him of that which a traveller makes out of a luncheon basket upon a railway line in Europe or America.
Only there the cups are not of gold and among the Asiki were no paper napkins, no salt and mustard, and no three and sixpence or dollar to pay.

Further, until he got used to it, luncheon in a linen mask with a moveable mouth was not easy.

This difficulty he overcame at last by propping the imitation lips apart with a piece of bone, after which things were easier.
When he had finished he threw the platter and the remains out of the litter, retaining the cup for further examination, and recommenced his intoned and poetical converse with Jeekie.
To set it out at length would be wearisome, but in the course of an hour or so he collected a good deal of information.

Thus he learned that they were due to arrive at the Asiki city, which was called Bonsa Town, by nightfall, or a little after.