INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 183 
contained a woman and three children ; who, together with the 
shepherd and myself, completely occupied the floor. A dish of 
boiled corn and dates was produced, and the master of the family, 
as is customary in this part of the country, first tasted it himself, 
and then desired me to follow his example. Whilst I was eat- 
ing, the children kept their eyes fixed upon me ; and no sooner 
did the shepherd pronounce the word Nazarani, than they be- 
gan to cry, and their mother crept slowly towards the door, out 
of which she sprang like a greyhound, and was instantly fol- 
lowed by her children. So frightened were they at the very 
name of a Christian, that no entreaties could induce them to 
approach the tent. Here I purchased some corn for my horse 
in exchange for some brass buttons ; and having thanked the 
shepherd for his hospitality, struck again into the woods. At 
sunset, I came to a road that took the direction for Bambarra, 
and resolved to follow it for the night ; but about eight o'clock, 
hearing some people coming from the southward, I thought it 
prudent to hide myself among some thick bushes near the road. 
As these thickets are generally full of wild beasts, I found my 
situation rather unpleasant ; sitting in the dark, holding my 
horse by the nose, with both hands, to prevent him from neigh- 
ing, and equally afraid of the natives without, and the wild 
beasts within. My fears, however, were soon dissipated ; for the 
people, after looking round the thicket, and perceiving nothing, 
went away ; and I hastened to the more open parts of the wood, 
where I pursued my journey E. S. E, until past midnight ; when 
the joyful cry of frogs induced me once more to deviate a 
little from my route, in order to quench my thirst. Having 
