I Then Took My Leave, And In The Evening Sent The King An Order
Upon Dr. Laidley For Three Gallons Of Rum, And Received In Return Great
Store Of Provisions.
[4] Medina in the Arabic signifies a city.
The name is not uncommon
among the Negroes, and has probably been burrowed from the
Mohamedans.
[5] It may seem from hence that the king was a Mahomedan; but I was
assured to the contrary. He joined in prayer on this occasion
probably from the mere dictates of his benevolent mind, considering
perhaps that prayers to the Almighty, offered up with true devotion
and sincerity, were equally acceptable, whether from Bushreen or
Pagan.
December 6th, early in the morning, I went to the king a second time, to
learn if the guide was ready. I found his majesty sitting upon a
bullock's hide, warming himself before a large fire; for the Africans are
sensible of the smallest variation in the temperature of the air, and
frequently complain of cold when a European is oppressed with heat. He
received me with a benevolent countenance, and tenderly entreated me to
desist from my purpose of travelling into the interior; telling me that
Major Houghton had been killed in his route, and that if I followed his
footsteps, I should probably meet with his fate. He said that I must not
judge of the people of the eastern country by those of Woolli: that the
latter were acquainted with white men, and respected them; whereas the
people of the east had never seen a white man, and would certainly
destroy me.
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