Chap. L. 
PARDONING ENEMIES. 
417 
had been the chief cause of the injurious treatment 
which I had experienced, he had been introduced to 
me some time previous to the arrival of the sultan, 
by my cheerful and good-natured friend Bii-Bakr of 
Bakada, when, against my wish, he persisted in clear- 
ing himself by an oath that he had done me no harm. 
This he managed rather cleverly, by swearing that 
he had never instigated the ferry-men to drown me 
in the river, a crime which I was very far from lay- 
ing to his charge. However, it being my desire to 
be on good terms with all the people, I expressed my 
satisfaction, and dismissed him. On all these oc- 
casions I had full opportunity of discovering the 
sincere friendship which Bii-Bakr felt for me, who, 
being well aware of the impetuous character of Eu- 
ropeans, did not cease exhorting me to patience, — 
" sabr, sabr," " kanadi, kanadi " — certainly the most 
momentous words for any traveller in these regions. 
I had entertained the hope of being able 
to get off before the great feast, or 'Aid el July 19th " 
kebir, here called " Ngumre ngolo;" but it approached 
without any preparation for my departure having 
been made. A general custom prevails in this 
country, that, in order to celebrate this holiday, all the 
people of the neighbouring places must come into 
the town ; and for the chief men of each place this 
is even a duty, by neglecting which they would incur 
a severe penalty. But on the present occasion the 
holiday was changed into a day of mourning ; for at 
vol. m. E E 
