Mary wrote to good King Eyo, of Duke Town. She asked him to invite the
Okoyong chiefs for a conference. She promised they would bring jungle goods
to trade.

King Eyo invited the chiefs. They did not want to go. Mary told them of the
interesting things they would see on the coast. She told them of the good
things they could get by trading. At last they agreed to go. They collected
two canoeloads of bananas, barrels of oil and other jungle crops. Then the
chiefs and warriors came marching down to the river to go to the coast.

"Wait," said Mary. "You cannot take those spears and swords and guns
along. You will only get into trouble. You must leave your swords and
spears, your guns and knives at home."

When Mary said this, many of the natives disappeared into the jungle. They
would not go without their weapons.

"Ma, you make women of us," argued those who remained. "Would a man go
among strangers without arms?"

"You may not take arms," said Mary. "You are not going to war. You are
going for a friendly visit."

"If we cannot take our swords and guns we will not go. We will stay home."

"But you promised and I promised King Eyo that you would come. Will you go
back on your word and make me a liar?"

For two hours they argued with Mary. The beach filled with natives from the