AFRICA. ij 
pulled ofF my hat, that they might the better 
examine my hair and my beard, which were 
long. They even half unbuttoned my clothes ; 
and furprlfed to fee my fkin white, each felt it, 
as if defirous to afcertain that what they faw 
was real. 
This comedy continued till the evening ; and 
I did every thing in my power to prolong it. 
At length, when the moment of feparation ar- 
rived, I caufed to be hinted to the whole com- 
pany, that if, two hours after fun-rife next 
morning, they Ihould not be agreed refpefling 
the choice of a chief, I would immediately 
leave them. I added, however, that if^ on 
the other hand, they came and prefented to 
me a chief, eleded by general confent, I 
would then load them all with prefents, and 
beftow on him a diftinSion, which would 
raife him above all his equals, and render 
the horde one of the moft celebrated in the 
whole country. But what was my furprife 
when I learned the fame evening, that on my 
head the burden of the crovv^n was depofed ! 
Pretending to be alarmed at this intelligence, I 
took advantage of it, as I had intended, to reilore 
perfect tranquillity ; and I accordingly acquiefced, 
alluring 
