It Is Fortified In The Common African Manner, By A
Surrounding High Wall Built Of Clay, And An Outward Fence
Of pointed
stakes and prickly bushes; but the walls are neglected, and the outward
fence has suffered considerably from the
Active hands of busy housewives,
who pluck up the stakes for firewood. I obtained a lodging at one of the
king's near relations, who apprized me, that at my introduction to the
king, I must not presume _to shake hands with him_. It was not usual, he
said, to allow this liberty to strangers. Thus instructed, I went in the
afternoon to pay my respects to the sovereign; and ask permission to pass
through his territories to Bondou. The king's name was _Jatta_. He was
the same venerable old man of whom so favourable an account was
transmitted by Major Houghton. I found him seated upon a mat before the
door of his hut: a number of men and women were arranged on each side,
who were singing and clapping their hands. I saluted him respectfully,
and informed him of the purport of my visit. The king graciously replied,
that he not only gave me leave to pass through his country, but would
offer up his prayers for my safety. On this, one of my attendants,
seemingly in return for the king's condescension, began to sing, or
rather to roar, an Arabic song; at every pause of which, the king
himself, and all the people present, struck their hands against their
forehead, and exclaimed, with devout and affecting solemnity, _Amen!
Amen!_[5] The king told me furthermore, that I should have a guide the
day following, who would conduct me safely to the frontier of his
kingdom.
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