About One O'clock In The Afternoon Of The 3rd Of December, I Took My
Leave Of Dr. Laidley And Messrs.
Ainsley, and rode slowly into the
woods.
I had now before me a boundless forest, and a country, the
inhabitants of which were strangers to civilised life, and to most
of whom a white man was the object of curiosity or plunder. I
reflected that I had parted from the last European I might probably
behold, and perhaps quitted for ever the comforts of Christian
society. Thoughts like these would necessarily cast a gloom over my
mind; and I rode musing along for about three miles, when I was
awakened from my reverie by a body of people, who came running up,
and stopped the asses, giving me to understand that I must go with
them to Peckaba, to present myself to the king of Walli, or pay
customs to them. I endeavoured to make them comprehend that the
object of my journey not being traffic, I ought not to be subjected
to a tax like the slatees, and other merchants, who travel for gain;
but I reasoned to no purpose. They said it was usual for travellers
of all descriptions to make a present to the king of Walli, and
without doing so I could not be permitted to proceed. As they were
more numerous than my attendants, and withal very noisy, I thought
it prudent to comply with their demand; and having presented them
with four bars of tobacco, for the king's use, I was permitted to
continue my journey, and at sunset reached a village near
Kootacunda, where we rested for the night.
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