At The Door Of One Of These Huts An
Old Motherly-Looking Woman Sat, Spinning Cotton.
I made signs to
her that I was hungry, and inquired if she had any victuals with her
in the hut.
She immediately laid down her distaff, and desired me,
in Arabic, to come in. When I had seated myself upon the floor, she
set before me a dish of kouskous that had been left the preceding
night, of which I made a tolerable meal; and in return for this
kindness I gave her one of my pocket-handkerchiefs, begging at the
same time a little corn for my horse, which she readily brought me.
Whilst my horse was feeding the people began to assemble, and one of
them whispered something to my hostess which very much excited her
surprise. Though I was not well acquainted with the Foulah
language, I soon discovered that some of the men wished to apprehend
and carry me back to Ali, in hopes, I suppose, of receiving a
reward. I therefore tied up the corn; and lest any one should
suspect I had run away from the Moors, I took a northerly direction,
and went cheerfully along, driving my horse before me, followed by
all the boys and girls of the town. When I had travelled about two
miles, and got quit of all my troublesome attendants, I struck again
into the woods, and took shelter under a large tree, where I found
it necessary to rest myself, a bundle of twigs serving me for a bed,
and my saddle for a pillow.
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