70 FRENCH DISCOVERIES. 



Brae sailed up the river, and landed at the' port of 

 Gliiorel ; then, with a party of armed attendants, set out foi 

 Gumel, about ten leagues in the interior, where the Siratik 

 resided. At Ghiorel he was visited by Bukar Sir^, one of 

 the young princes, and afterward by the Kamalingo or ge- 

 neral, and the Bouquenet, a venerable and aged negro, who 

 filled an oflicc similar to that of treasurer or prime minister. 

 These two latter personages assured the director of the 

 hearty welcome which awaited him at court ; intimating, 

 at the same time, their readiness to receive the presents 

 which he was understood to have brought to the Siratik. 

 These accordingly were spread forth, and consisted of scar- 

 let cloths, coloured worsteds, copper kettles, pieces of coral 

 and amber, brandy, spices, and a few coins, in portions re- 

 spectively destined for the king, his wives, and the illus- 

 trious messengers ; yet these liberal gifts, though they 

 amply satisfied the great personages who received them, 

 did not drain the finances of the company, since the entire 

 cost did not exceed sixty or seventy pounds. The country 

 was found level, well cultivated, and filled with such nu- 

 merous herds that the French with diflficulty made their 

 way through them. At a village called Buksar, the Sir6 

 and his attendants again met them, brandishing their lances 

 or assagayes, as if in the act to strike. This being ex- 

 plained as meant for the greatest possible compliment, 

 Brue, in return, cocked his pistol at the young prince, with 

 whom he then spent the evening. After being introduced 

 to several ladies of the court, he was entertained with sup- 

 per, consisting of fraits, kouskous, and other simple pro- 

 ducts of African cooker}'. Then followed the folgar or 

 dance, the favourite amusement of the negroes; but while 

 all the youth of the village were tripping it gayly upon the 

 green, amid songs and music, he found more gratification in 

 the kaldcr, or conversation carried on by the old men seated 

 on mats in a circle. Their manners were noble and digni- 

 fied ; they showed retentive memories and quick apprehen- 

 sions respecting the objects which came within their limited 

 range of observation. 



He set out next morning for the residence of the Si» 

 ratik, being met and escorted thither by the Kamalingo. 

 He found that prince surrounded by none of those circum- 

 ftances which constitute in Europe the pomp of royalty. 



