190 
TRAVELS IN AFEICA. Chap. XXVI. 
ever, we were lucky in finding at last a more trodden 
path, which soon brought us to an open, straggling 
village named Kargimawa, which displayed a most 
animated and cheerful picture of a wealthy and 
industrious little community — the men sitting in the 
shade of some fine caoutchouc tree, some of them busy 
making mats, others weaving, while the women were 
carrying water, or setting the pot upon the fire for 
the evening repast. Cattle, goats, and fowl roved 
about in considerable quantities. 
Quite delighted at arriving (in consequence of hav- 
ing strayed from the direct road) at this sequestered 
place, we pitched our tent with a grateful sense of 
security, and squatted comfortably down, while the 
camels found a rich repast in the fields. In one 
thing, however, I was disappointed. The sight of 
so many cattle had led me to anticipate a good 
draught of milk ; but the cattle did not belong to the 
inhabitants, and before sunset they were driven away. 
In other respects we were hospitably treated, and 
four little dishes were brought us in the evening 
from different huts, three of which contained paste 
of Guinea corn, and one beans. The latter always 
seemed to me an agreeable variety; but a European 
must be very cautious how he indulges in them in 
facts, as they suppose that a person in these regions is suffi- 
ciently protected by his creed. They appear not to have read the 
late Mr. Richardson's Journal, the latter part of which is full of 
remarks and exclamations on this melancholy state of the inha- 
bitants. See especially vol. ii. p. 223. 
