97 



Instead of answering, one of them ordered him to dismount ; 

 but then, as if recollecting himself, waved with his hand 

 to proceed. The traveller had not gone far when he heard 

 voices behind, and, looking round, saw them all in full pur- 

 suit, calling to him that they were sent to carry himself and 

 his horse before the king of the Foulahs at Fooladoo. He 

 did not attempt a vain resistance, but accompanied them till 

 they came to a dark spot in the depth of the wood, when 

 one of them said, " This place will do." The same man 

 snatched off Mr. Park's hat ; another instantly detached 

 the last remaining button from his waistcoat ; the rest 

 searched his pockets, and investigated, with the most scru- 

 pulous accuracy, every portion of his apparel ; at last they 

 determined to make sure work by stripping hun to the 

 skin. As he pointed to his pocket-compass with earnest 

 entreaty, one of them cocked a pistol, threatenmg, if he 

 should touch it, to shoot him through the head. As they 

 were carrying off every thing, they were seized with a feel- 

 ing of remorse, and threw to him his worst shirt, a pair of 

 trowsers, and his hat, in the crown of which he kept his 

 memorandums. 



After this blow Mr. Park felt a deeper depression than 

 he had experienced under any former disaster. Naked and 

 alone, in a vast wilderness, 500 miles from any settlement, 

 surrounded by savage beasts and by men still more savage, 

 he saw no prospect before him but to lie down and perish. 

 From this depth of despondency his mind was suddenly re- 

 vived by a mingled impression of nature and of religion. A 

 small moss, in a state of fructification, struck his eye, the 

 delicate conformation of whose roots, leaves, and capsule, 

 could not be contemplated without admiration. He then 

 bethought himself, — "Can that Being who planted, wa 

 tered, and brought to perfection, in this obscure corner of 

 the world, a thing which appears of so small importance, 

 look with unconcern upon the situation and sufferings of 

 creatures formed after his own image 1" Inspired by these 

 just and pious reflections, he started up and went on, de- 

 spite of fatigue ; and he soon found deliverance to be nearer 

 than he had any reason to anticipate. 



Having arrived at Sibidooloo, he waited on the mansa, 

 or cliief ruler of the town, and related his misfortune ; when 

 the latter, taking his pipe from his mouth, and tossing up 



