Having, as hath been related, obtained permission to accompany Ali
to Jarra, I took leave of Queen Fatima, who, with much grace and
civility, returned me part of my apparel; and the evening before my
departure, my horse, with the saddle and bridle, were sent me by
Ali's order.
Early on the morning of the 26th of May I departed from the camp of
Bubaker, accompanied by my two attendants, Johnson and Demba, and a
number of Moors on horseback, Ali, with about fifty horsemen, having
gone privately from the camp during the night. We stopped about
noon at Farani, and were there joined by twelve Moors riding upon
camels, and with them we proceeded to a watering-place in the woods,
where we overtook Ali and his fifty horsemen. They were lodged in
some low shepherd's tents near the wells.
May 28. - Early in the morning the Moors saddled their horses, and
Ali's chief slave ordered me to get in readiness. In a little time
the same messenger returned, and, taking my boy by the shoulder,
told him in the Mandingo language, that "Ali was to be his master in
future;" and then turning to me, "The business is settled at last,"
said he; "the boy, and everything but your horse, goes back to
Bubaker, but you may take the old fool" (meaning Johnson the
interpreter) "with you to Jarra." I made him no answer; but being
shocked beyond description at the idea of losing the poor boy, I
hastened to Ali, who was at breakfast before his tent, surrounded by
many of his courtiers.
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