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. I told him (perhaps in rather too passionate
a strain), that whatever imprudence I had been guilty of in coming
into his country, I thought I had already been sufficiently punished
for it by being so long detained, and then plundered of all my
little property; which, however, gave me no uneasiness when compared
with what he had just now done to me. I observed that the boy whom
he had now seized upon was not a slave, and had been accused of no
offence; he was, indeed, one of my attendants, and his faithful
services in that station had procured him his freedom. His fidelity
and attachment had made him fellow me into my present situation,
and, as he looked up to me for protection I could not see him
deprived of his liberty without remonstrating against such an act as
the height of cruelty and injustice. Ali made no reply, but, with a
haughty air and malignant smile, told his interpreter that if I did
not mount my horse immediately he would send me back likewise.
There is something in the frown of a tyrant which rouses the most
secret emotions of the heart: I could not suppress my feelings, and
for once entertained an indignant wish to rid the world of such a
monster.
Poor Demba was not less affected than myself. He had formed a
strong attachment towards me, and had a cheerfulness of disposition
which often beguiled the tedious hours of captivity.
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