A TURNING POINT

When everything was thus dark and gloomy for the Ibadans, quite unexpectedly, on the 17th December, 1882, Ijebu messengers arrived in the town to negotiate for peace between the two countries!

The messengers were received at the Are's gate at Ibadan. They were hooted at in the streets and called all sorts of names, being taken for spies. Their message was however conveyed to the war chiefs in the camp and the home authorities were instructed to send a messenger back along with them to ascertain the truth of their statements.

The hearts of all were made glad on the return of the messengers when they heard that the Ijebus were sincere in their overtures for peace. Ajako the messenger sent reported that about 800 of the Ogbonis met at Orù and without a dissentient voice all agreed to make peace. Ten kegs of powder and ten bags of salt were the presents sent to the Are and war chiefs as a token of their goodwill. These sent as return presents slaves, gowns, and sheep. Thus peace was concluded with the Ijebus and trading relations resumed. Provisions which were scarce at Ijebu were taken down and bartered for salt, and cheap foreign made cloths and cutlery, the Ijebus for the present forbidding the exportation of powder and firearms. What led to this negotiation for peace has been told in a previous chapter (vide p. 451).