Chap. XLIX. SUSPECTED A RAIN- MAKER. 
377 
man without much intelligence, and had no idea of 
the scientific researches of a European. 
Having but little exercise, 1 became very ill to- 
wards the end of this month, so that I thought it 
prudent to abstain entirely from food for five days, 
living exclusively upon an infusion of the fruit of the 
tamarind-tree and onions seasoned with some honey 
and a strong dose of black pepper, — a sort of drink 
which must appear abominable to the European, but 
which is a delightful treat to the feverish traveller in 
those hot regions. Convinced that my stay in this 
place, if I were not allowed to travel about, would be 
too trying for my constitution, I requested the lieu- 
tenant-governor to allow me to retrace my steps 
westward ; but he would not consent, upon any con- 
dition whatever, that I should stir from the place. 
This unfavourable disposition towards me assumed 
by degrees a more serious character, as, being unable 
to understand my pursuits, he could not but become 
suspicious of what I was doing. On the 21st of 
June when I was quietly sitting in my house, one of his 
servants, Agid Miisa, who was well disposed towards 
me, and who used to call occasionally, suddenly 
made his appearance with a very serious countenance, 
and after some hesitation, and a few introductory re- 
marks, delivered a message from the governor to the 
following effect. He wanted to know from me whe- 
ther it was true (as was rumoured in the town, 
and as the people had told him) that, as soon as a 
thunderstorm was gathering, and when the clouds 
