"Be assured that there is nothing to be feared from us. You all
know how greatly the States protected by us have flourished and how
wealthy their rajahs have become from the increase of cultivation
and the cessation of tribal wars. If in the future all the chiefs
of this district should desire to place themselves under English
protection, their request will be considered; but there is not
the slightest desire on the part of the Governor to assume further
responsibility, and he will be well satisfied indeed to know that
there is peace among the river tribes, security for trade, and a large
increase in the cultivation of the country and in its prosperity."
There was a general expression of satisfaction and relief upon
the face of the chiefs, as, sentence by sentence, the speech was
translated to them; and, one by one, they rose after its conclusion,
and expressed their hearty concurrence with what had been said.
"We know," one of them said, "that these wars do much harm; but if
we quarrel, or if one ill treats another, or encourages his slaves
to leave him, or ravages his plantations, what are we to do?"
"That I have thought of," the captain said. "I have spoken with the
chief Hassan, and he has agreed to remove with his people to the
spot where Sehi's town stood.
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