The canoes belonging to the Landers had been lying at the island, but now the canoes were all formed into a line and paddled into the market-place before alluded to, called Kirree, and here they were informed that a palaver would be held to take the whole affair into consideration; and accordingly, a multitude of men landed from the canoes, to hold, as it may be termed, a council of war.  The Landers were not suffered to go on shore, but constrained to remain in the canoes, without a covering for the head, and exposed to the heat of a burning sun.  A person in a muhommedan dress, who they learnt afterwards was a native of a place near Funda, came to them and endeavoured to cheer them, by saying that their hearts must not be sore, that at the palaver which would be held, they had plenty of friends to speak for them.  In the mean time about twenty canoes full of Damaggoo people had arrived from the various towns near that place.  These persons having heard how the Landers had been treated, also became their friends, so that they now began to think there was a chance of their escaping, and this intelligence put them into better spirits.

A stir was now made in the market, and a search commenced through all the canoes for their goods, some of which were found, although the greater part of them were at the bottom of the river.  Those were landed and placed in the middle of the market-place.  The Landers were now invited by the mallams to land, and told to look at their goods, and see if they were all there.  To the great satisfaction of Richard Lander, he immediately recognized the box containing their books, and one of his brother’s journals.  The medicine chest was by its side, but both were filled with water.  A large carpet bag containing all their wearing apparel was lying cut open, and deprived of its contents, with the exception of a shirt, a pair of trousers, and a waistcoat.  Many valuable articles which it contained were gone.  The whole of Richard Lander’s journal, with the exception of a note book, with remarks from Rabba to Kirree, was lost.  Four guns, one of which had been the property of the late Mr. Park, four cutlasses, and two pistols were gone.  All their buttons, kowries, and needles, which were necessary for them to purchase provisions with, all were missing, and said to have been sunk in the river.

They were now desired to seat themselves, which as soon as they had done, a circle gathered round them and began questioning them, but at that moment the sound of screams and the clashing of arms reached the spot, and the multitude catching fire at the noise, drew their swords, and leaving the Landers to themselves, they ran away to the place whence it proceeded.  The origin of all this, was a desire for more plunder on the part of the Eboe people.  Seeing the few things of the white men in the marketplace, they made a rush to the place to recover them.  The natives, who were Kirree people, stood ready for them, armed with swords, daggers, and guns; and the savage Eboes finding themselves foiled in the attempt, retreated to their canoes, without risking an attack, although the Landers fully expected to have been spectators of a furious and bloody battle.