- About ten o'clock I reached a small village within half
a mile of Sego, where I endeavoured, but in vain, to procure some
provisions.
Every one seemed anxious to avoid me; and I can plainly
perceive, by the looks and behaviour of the inhabitants, that some
very unfavourable accounts had been circulated concerning me. I was
again informed that Mansong had sent people to apprehend me, and the
dooty's son told me I had no time to lose if I wished to get safe
out of Bambarra. I now fully saw the danger of my situation, and
determined to avoid Sego altogether. I accordingly mounted my
horse, and taking the road for Diggani, travelled as fast as I could
till I was out of sight of the villagers, when I struck to the
westward, through high grass and swampy ground. About noon I
stopped under a tree to consider what course to take, for I had now
no doubt that the Moors and slatees had misinformed the king
respecting the object of my mission, and that people were absolutely
in search of me to convey me a prisoner to Sego. Sometimes I had
thoughts of swimming my horse across the Niger, and going to the
southward for Cape Coast, but reflecting that I had ten days to
travel before I should reach Kong, and afterwards an extensive
country to traverse, inhabited by various nations with whose
language and manners I was totally unacquainted, I relinquished this
scheme, and judged that I should better answer the purpose of my
mission by proceeding to the westward along the Niger, endeavouring
to ascertain how far the river was navigable in that direction.
Having resolved upon this course, I proceeded accordingly, and a
little before sunset arrived at a Foulah village called Sooboo,
where, for two hundred kowries, I procured lodging for the night.
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