12? TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



thing ; neither they nor I wifh an engagement but at Ser- 

 braxos." 



■ I DID not underftand the meaning of the fpeech, but 

 went away without reply ftraight to the king's tent ; and I 

 was juft going to fpeak when he ftopt me, by crying, " Go, 

 go, for God's fake ! Ozoro Efther has been here almoft out 

 of her fenfes." I went on this to her tent, where I found her 

 fitting by Confu and drowned in tears, which at times were 

 interrupted by fits of feeming diftradtion. He began to feel 

 the lofs of blood, which would have made me wifh not to 

 move him ; but there was no flaying here for fick people ; 

 and fo violent a fpirit had fpread through the army, upon 

 Netcho's fuccefs and Confu's vi<51:ory, that one and all infifl- 

 ed upon fighting the next day ; and feveral of my friends, 

 who knew where I was going, fliook hands with me at my 

 paffing them, faying, " Farewell, Yagoube ; we are forry to 

 lofe you, but all will T^e over before you come back." 



I NOW infifled more than ever upon Confu's going in a 

 litter, and fetting out immediately, which was according- 

 ly complied with. Ozoro Efther had dinner, or rather fup- 

 per, ready in a moment, and I had great need of it, having 

 fcarcely tafted any thing for two days. While I was eating, 

 Ozoro Efther could not flop the efi'ufions of her gratitude 

 for the care I had again taken of Confu. " I knew, fays 

 fhe, you would have refufed me, if I had endeavoured to 

 perfuade you to go away from the camp, when there are 

 fuch fair expectations, you may be knocked on the head 

 to-morrow ; and therefore I applied to the Ras by force to 

 bend that rafli, proud fpirit of yours, which one day will 

 be the occafion of your death."—" Madam, faid I, you do 

 3 "^^ 



