70 Tfaveh through th& 



and take my place in bearing the litter ; and, having remarked 

 at that time that he looked difpleafed and angry at me, he 

 had therefore come to this conclufion, that the accufation 

 was only founded .in malice and revenge ; adding, that his 

 Jufpicions were fully confirmed by the confelTion of the two 

 companions of the accufcrj on their being brought to a flri6l 

 examination. 



*< I now ventured to petition the king to let mc depart ; 

 but this he refufed, by faying, ' It is thy dqty to do as I 

 command thee/ — The matially (under officer) of the Mo,or^ 

 jiow took me with him, delivering to me my horfe, with ^ 

 bridle of rope, and half a goat's fkin for a faddle, at which 

 I was much furprifed 5 bccaufe I forefaw that I fliould not be 

 able to do much with thefe implements, but fliould probably 

 run the fame rifks as I had done before; accordingly I re- 

 fqlved to renew my requeft to the king, that he would allovy 

 nie to profecute my journey, or at leaft appoint me to fome 

 other poft. The next morning I was ordered to appear before 

 him ; when he dire6lly afked me whether I could ride, &c. 

 -to which I anfvvered : No. *^ Then thou muft learn,' -faid 

 he^ V^s I defign thee for a higher ftation, if thou wilt reniain 

 with me.' For the prefcnt I did not prefume to folicit him 

 again for my difmiffion, as he of himfelf had once more fpoke 

 of my remaining here. Had I refolutely infifted on being 

 difmiired, I fhould have run the hazard of being font as a 

 prefent to his brother-in-law Soomahaty *, where I fhould 

 infallibly pafs my days in mifery. I therefore refigned my- 

 felf to fortune, hoping to make my efcape at fome fit oppor- 

 tunity, and in a fhort time learnt to ride, that is, to fit fo 

 firm on my horfe as to be able to charge and fire my gun. 

 My office was folely tjo be about the king when he chofe to 

 be carried abroad, or when he rode out on his great ca,mel, 

 which was led by four men ; the reft of my time I employed 

 hi carving toys, or in flrolling about the town for inforniatiou 



♦ King of Zamfara, .. i, ; ...is reprefented as a very cruel man. He 

 \«.Ms really married to the fiftcr of the king of Haoulla, keeping, befidcs, 

 four hundred concubines, of whom he fold thofc who no longer pleated 

 him, to the flave-dealcrs, and in their places picked up others about the 

 couHiry. 



