I Knew That
Resistance Was Hopeless, And Complaint Unavailing:
And being in
some measure prepared by the intimation I had received the night
before, I quietly offered him seven bars of amber and five of
tobacco.
After surveying these articles for some time very coolly,
Demba laid them down, and told me that this was not a present for a
man of Tiggity Sego's consequence, who had it in his power to take
whatever he pleased from me. He added, that if I did not consent to
make him a larger offering he would carry all my baggage to his
father, and let him choose for himself. I had no time for reply,
for Demba and his attendants immediately began to open my bundles,
and spread the different articles upon the floor, where they
underwent a more strict examination than they had done at Joag.
Everything that pleased them they took without scruple: and amongst
other things, Demba seized the tin box that had so much attracted
his attention in crossing the river. Upon collecting the scattered
remains of my little fortune after these people had left me, I found
that, as at Joag I had been plundered of half, so here, without even
the shadow of accusation, I was deprived of half the remainder. The
blacksmith himself, though a native of Kasson, had also been
compelled to open his bundles, and take an oath that the different
articles they contained were his own exclusive property. There was,
however, no remedy, and having been under some obligation to Demba
Sego for his attention towards me in the journey from Joag, I did
not reproach him for his rapacity, but determined to quit Teesee, at
all events, the next morning.
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