INTERIOR OF AFRICA. I99 
■who it seems were exceedingly suspicious concerning the 
motives of my journey. I learnt that many consultations had 
been held with the king, concerning ray reception and disposal; 
and some of the villagers frankly told me, that I had many 
enemies, and must expect no favour. 
July 22d. About eleven o'clock, a messenger arrived from 
the king; but he gave me very little satisfaction. He inquired 
particularly if I had brought any present; and seemed much 
disappointed when he was told that I had been robbed of every 
thing by the Moors. When I proposed to go along with him, 
he told me to stop until the afternoon, when the king would 
send for me. 
July 23d. In the afternoon, another messenger arrived from 
Mansong, with a bag in his hands. He told me, it was the 
king's pleasure that I should depart forthwith from the vicinage 
of Sego; but that Mansong, wishing to relieve a white man in 
distress, had sent me five thousand Kowries,* to enable me to 
purchase provisions in the course of my journey: the messenger . 
added, that if my intentions were really to proceed to Jenne, 
he had orders to accompany me as a guide to Sansanding. I 
was at first puzzled to account for this behaviour of the king; 
but, from the conversation I had with the guide, I had after- 
* Mention has already been made of these little shells, (p. 27) which pass current 
as money, in many parts of the East-Indies, as well as Africa. In Bambarra, 
and the adjacent countries, where the necessaries of life are very cheap, one 
hundred of them would commonly purchase a day's provisions for myself, and 
corn for my horse. I reckoned about two hundred and fifty Kowrics, equal f 
one shilling. 
