Thus Conversing, We Travelled In The Most Friendly Manner, Until
Unfortunately We Perceived The Footsteps Of A Lion, Quite Fresh In
The Mud, Near The River-Side.
My companion now proceeded with great
circumspection; and at last, coming to some thick underwood, he
insisted that I should walk before him.
I endeavoured to excuse
myself, by alleging that I did not know the road; but he obstinately
persisted, and, after a few high words and menacing looks, threw
down the saddle and went away. This very much disconcerted me; but
as I had given up all hopes of obtaining a horse, I could not think
of encumbering myself with the saddle, and, taking off the stirrups
and girths, I threw the saddle into the river. The negro no sooner
saw me throw the saddle into the water than he came running from
among the bushes where he had concealed himself, jumped into the
river, and by help of his spear, brought out the saddle and ran away
with it. I continued my course along the bank; but as the wood was
remarkably thick, and I had reason to believe that a lion was at no
great distance, I became much alarmed, and took a long circuit
through the bushes to avoid him.
About four in the afternoon I reached Modiboo, where I found my
saddle. The guide, who had got there before me, being afraid that I
should inform the king of his conduct, had brought the saddle with
him in a canoe.
While I was conversing with the dooty, and remonstrating against the
guide for having left me in such a situation, I heard a horse neigh
in one of the huts; and the dooty inquired with a smile if I knew
who was speaking to me. He explained himself by telling me that my
horse was still alive, and somewhat recovered from his fatigue; but
he insisted that I should take him along with me, adding that he had
once kept a Moor's horse for four months, and when the horse had
recovered and got into good condition, the Moor returned and claimed
it, and refused to give him any reward for his trouble.
August 1. - I departed from Modiboo, driving my horse before me, and
in the afternoon reached Nyamee; where I remained three days, during
which time it rained without intermission, and with such violence
that no person could venture out of doors.
August 5. - I departed from Nyamee; but the country was so deluged
that I was frequently in danger of losing the road, and had to wade
across the savannas for miles together, knee-deep in water. Even
the corn ground, which is the driest land in the country, was so
completely flooded that my horse twice stuck fast in the mud, and
was not got out without the greatest difficulty.
In the evening of the same day I arrived at Nyara, where I was well
received by the dooty; and as the 6th was rainy I did not depart
until the morning of the 7th; but the water had swelled to such a
height, that in many places the road was scarcely passable, and
though I waded breast-deep across the swamps I could only reach a
small village called Nemaboo, where however, for a hundred kowries,
I procured from some Foulahs plenty of corn for my horse and milk
for myself.
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