Travels in the Interior of Africa, vol 2 | Page 9

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