INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 37 
heads, and exclaimed, with devout and affecting solemnity, 
Amen, amen The king told me furthermore, that I should 
have a guide the day following, who would conduct me safely 
to the frontier of his kingdom. I then took my leave, and in 
the evening sent the king an order upon Dr. Laidley for three 
gallons of rum, and received in return great store of provisions. 
Dec. 6th, early in the morning, I went to the king a second 
time, to learn if the guide . was ready. I found his majesty 
sitting upon a bullock's hide, warming himself before a large 
fire ; for the Africans are sensible of the smallest variation in 
the temperature of the air, and frequently complain of cold 
when a European is oppressed with heat. He received me 
with a benevolent countenance, and tenderly entreated me to 
desist from my purpose of travelling into the interior ; telling 
me, that Major Houghton had been killed in his route, and that 
if I followed his footsteps, I should probably meet with his fate. 
He said that I must not judge of the people of the eastern 
country by those of WooUi : that the latter were acquainted 
with white men, and respected them, whereas the people of the 
east had never seen a white man, and would certainly destroy 
me. I thanked the king for his affectionate solicitude, but told 
him that I had considered the matter, and was determined, 
notwithstanding all dangers, to proceed. The king shook his 
* It may seem from hence that the king was a Mahomedan ; but I was 
assured to the contrary. He joined in prayer on this occasion probably from the 
mere dictates of his benevolent mind ; considering perhaps that prayers to the 
Almighty, offered up with true devotion and sincerity, were equally acceptable, 
whether from Bushreen or Pagan. 
