Chap. XXVI. STATE OF THE COUNTRY. 
189 
heard that all was well, I continued my march. It 
shows the slowness of intercourse in this country, 
that these people were ignorant of Mr. Richardson's 
death, although he had died twenty days before at a 
place only six days' march on this side of Kiikawa. 
Keeping steadily on, first over open pasture-grounds, 
then through a country well wooded, we reached, 
after a march of about seven miles, a village, and en- 
tered it cheerfully with the intention of spending the 
night there, but were greatly disappointed on discover- 
ing that it was entirely deserted, and did not contain 
a living creature. Fortunately, however, after con- 
sulting what was to be done, we found a traveller who 
showed us a small path which was to lead us to the 
town of A'lamay. He also informed us that the in- 
habitants of this village, the name of which was Jawel, 
had formed a new village further south. The little 
path pointed out, however, was so overgrown and 
slightly marked that we soon became doubtful and 
perplexed. I went, therefore, to inquire of a shep- 
herd whom we saw at some little distance on the 
right of our path ; but no sooner did he observe me 
approaching than he ran away, leaving his flock at 
our discretion. 
The state of this country is very miserable indeed, 
all the petty governors around, as soon as they have 
any debts to pay, undertaking a predatory expedition, 
and often selling even their own subjects.* How- 
* The Anti-Slavery Society seems to be unaware of these 
