214. I passed the interval . . . at Ibádan . . . collecting information about the country eastward. I learned that an army of Ibádan was in that direction, and knew that an army from Ilórin was also there marauding and rendering the country impassable

. . . [May left Ibádan on 9th June, 1858.]

221.  At Ibádan I had heard of a great war-chief, E’shu . . . : now I learned more particulars of his whereabouts—that he lived at a town, E’shon, three days’ journey eastward of I’la, and was esteemed the most powerful chief in that quarter. A messenger and suite of his were now here (at Abájo), returning to him after a mission to Ibádan, to which power even he is tributary . . .

223. On the 25th June I left Awton . . . arriving, about 5 P.M. at E’shon . . .

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224. E’shon and A’iedi are nominally or politically one town; really they are . . . about two miles apart. In the former the Ajéle resides; in the latter the chief E’shu is to be found . . . I was summoned to E’shu at A’iedi. I had to learn (politely enough conveyed to me) that the road eastward to the confluence was shut to me; “war in the road” was the farther information on my attempting to shake the chief’s determination.

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225. E’shu is the principal chief in the district of Effon.

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226. [May travelled to E’jeba on 30th June.] . . . there was great excitement produced by the arrival of the news of a party of people belonging to a neighbouring town, “A’gboro,” having been attacked and carried off by a party of Ilórin people. There was much noise, arming, mounting, and sallying forth, the searching party returning soon after dark without any result. This is the occupation and mode of procedure of the army from Ilórin here, as of Ibádan and Núpe or any other power anywhere else on a marauding and slave-hunting expedition. The effects in this beautiful and productive district were lamentable to perceive . . .