I Was Shown Into A Damp Old
Hut, Where I Passed A Very Uncomfortable Night; For When The Walls
Of The Huts Are Softened By The Rain They Frequently Become Too Weak
To Support The Weight Of The Roof.
I heard three huts fall during
the night, and was apprehensive that the hut I lodged in would be
the fourth.
In the morning, as I went to pull some grass for my
horse, I counted fourteen huts which had fallen in this manner since
the commencement of the rainy season.
It continued to rain with great violence all the 10th; and as the
dooty refused to give me any provisions, I purchased some corn,
which I divided with my horse.
August 11. - The dooty compelled me to depart from the town, and I
set out for Sansanding without any great hopes of faring better than
I had done at Sibity; for I learned, from people who came to visit
me, that a report prevailed, and was universally believed, that I
had come to Bambarra as a spy; and as Mansong had not admitted me
into his presence, the dooties of the different towns were at
liberty to treat me in what manner they pleased. From repeatedly
hearing the same story I had no doubt of the truth of it; but as
there was no alternative I determined to proceed, and a little
before sunset I arrived at Sansanding. My reception was what I
expected. Counti Mamadi, who had been so kind to me formerly,
scarcely gave me welcome. Every one wished to shun me; and my
landlord sent a person to inform me that a very unfavourable report
was received from Sego concerning me, and that he wished me to
depart early in the morning. About ten o'clock at night Counti
Mamadi himself came privately to me, and informed me that Mansong
had despatched a canoe to Jenne to bring me back; and he was afraid
I should find great difficulty in going to the west country. He
advised me therefore to depart from Sansanding before daybreak, and
cautioned me against stopping at Diggani, or any town near Sego.
August 12. - I departed from Sansanding, and reached Kabba in the
afternoon. As I approached the town I was surprised to see several
people assembled at the gate, one of whom, as I advanced, came
running towards me, and taking my horse by the bridle, led me round
the walls of the town, and then, pointing to the west, told me to go
along, or it would fare worse with me. It was in vain that I
represented the danger of being benighted in the woods, exposed to
the inclemency of the weather and the fury of wild beasts. "Go
along!" was all the answer; and a number of people coming up and
urging me in the same manner, with great earnestness, I suspected
that some of the king's messengers, who were sent in search of me,
were in the town, and that these negroes, from mere kindness,
conducted me past it with a view to facilitate my escape. I
accordingly took the road for Sego, with the uncomfortable prospect
of passing the night on the branches of a tree. After travelling
about three miles, I came to a small village near the road. The
dooty was splitting sticks by the gate, but I found I could have no
admittance, and when I attempted to enter, he jumped up, and with
the stick he held in his hand, threatened to strike me off the horse
if I presumed to advance another step.
At a little distance from this village (and further from the road)
is another small one. I conjectured that, being rather out of the
common route, the inhabitants might have fewer objections to give me
house-room for the night; and having crossed some cornfields, I sat
down under a tree by the well. Two or three women came to draw
water, and one of them, perceiving I was a stranger, inquired
whither I was going. I told her I was going for Sego, but being
benighted on the road, I wished to stay at the village until
morning, and begged she would acquaint the dooty with my situation.
In a little time the dooty sent for me, and permitted me to sleep in
a large baloon.
August 13. - About ten o'clock I reached a small village within half
a mile of Sego, where I endeavoured, but in vain, to procure some
provisions. Every one seemed anxious to avoid me; and I can plainly
perceive, by the looks and behaviour of the inhabitants, that some
very unfavourable accounts had been circulated concerning me. I was
again informed that Mansong had sent people to apprehend me, and the
dooty's son told me I had no time to lose if I wished to get safe
out of Bambarra. I now fully saw the danger of my situation, and
determined to avoid Sego altogether. I accordingly mounted my
horse, and taking the road for Diggani, travelled as fast as I could
till I was out of sight of the villagers, when I struck to the
westward, through high grass and swampy ground. About noon I
stopped under a tree to consider what course to take, for I had now
no doubt that the Moors and slatees had misinformed the king
respecting the object of my mission, and that people were absolutely
in search of me to convey me a prisoner to Sego. Sometimes I had
thoughts of swimming my horse across the Niger, and going to the
southward for Cape Coast, but reflecting that I had ten days to
travel before I should reach Kong, and afterwards an extensive
country to traverse, inhabited by various nations with whose
language and manners I was totally unacquainted, I relinquished this
scheme, and judged that I should better answer the purpose of my
mission by proceeding to the westward along the Niger, endeavouring
to ascertain how far the river was navigable in that direction.
Having resolved upon this course, I proceeded accordingly, and a
little before sunset arrived at a Foulah village called Sooboo,
where, for two hundred kowries, I procured lodging for the night.
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