About Sunset,
However, As I Was Preparing To Pass The Night In This Manner, And
Had Turned My Horse Loose
That he might graze at liberty, a woman,
returning from the labours of the field, stopped to observe me, and
Perceiving that I was weary and dejected, inquired into my
situation, which I briefly explained to her; whereupon, with looks
of great compassion, she took up my saddle and bridle, and told me
to follow her. Having conducted me into her hut, she lighted up a
lamp, spread a mat on the floor, and told me I might remain there
for the night. Finding that I was very hungry, she said she would
procure me something to eat. She accordingly went out, and returned
in a short time with a very fine fish, which, having caused to be
half broiled upon some embers, she gave me for supper. The rites of
hospitality being thus performed towards a stranger in distress, my
worthy benefactress (pointing to the mat, and telling me I might
sleep there without apprehension) called to the female part of her
family, who had stood gazing on me all the while in fixed
astonishment, to resume their task of spinning cotton, in which they
continued to employ themselves great part of the night. They
lightened their labour by songs, one of which was composed
extempore, for I was myself the subject of it. It was sung by one
of the young women, the rest joining in a sort of chorus. The air
was sweet and plaintive, and the words, literally translated, were
these:- "The winds roared, and the rains fell. The poor white man,
faint and weary, came and sat under our tree. He has no mother to
bring him milk, no wife to grind his corn. Chorus. - Let us pity the
white man, no mother has he," &c. &c. Trifling as this recital may
appear to the reader, to a person in my situation the circumstance
was affecting in the highest degree. I was oppressed by such
unexpected kindness, and sleep fled from my eyes. In the morning I
presented my compassionate landlady with two of the four brass
buttons which remained on my waistcoat - the only recompense I could
make her.
July 21. - I continued in the village all this day in conversation
with the natives, who came in crowds to see me, but was rather
uneasy towards evening to find that no message had arrived from the
king, the more so as the people began to whisper that Mansong had
received some very unfavourable accounts of me from the Moors and
slatees residing at Sego, who, it seems, were exceedingly suspicious
concerning the motives of my journey. I learned that many
consultations had been held with the king concerning my reception
and disposal; and some of the villagers frankly told me that I had
many enemies, and must expect no favour.
July 22. - About eleven o'clock a messenger arrived from the king,
but he gave me very little satisfaction.
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