INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 22^ 
informed, that in three days the fruit would be ready for pound- 
ing and boiling; and that the butter thus manufactured, is pre- 
ferable to that which is prepared from fruit dried in the sun ; 
especially in the rainy season ; when the process by insolation 
is always tedious, and oftentimes ineffectual. 
Aug. 13. About ten o'clock I reached a small village within 
half a mile of Sego, where I endeavoured, but in vain, to pro- 
cure some provisions. Every one seemed anxious to avoid me ; 
and I could plainly perceive, by the looks and behaviour of the 
inhabitants, that some very unfavourable accounts had been 
circulated concerning me. I was again informed, that Mansong 
had sent people to apprehend me ; and the Booty's son told 
me I had no time to lose, if I wished to get safe out of Bam- 
barra. I now fully saw the danger of my situation, and deter- 
mined to avoid Sego altogether. I accordingly mounted my 
horse, and taking the road for Diggani, travelled as fast as I 
could, until I was out of sight of the villagers, when I struck to 
the westward, through high grass and swampy ground. About 
noon, I stopped under a tree, to consider what course to take; for 
I had now no doubt that the Moors and Slatees had misinformed 
the king respecting the object of my mission, and that people 
were absolutely in search of me, to convey me a prisoner to Sego. 
Sometimes I had thoughts of swimming my horse across the 
Niger, and going to the southward, for Cape Coast; but reflect- 
ing that I had ten days to travel before I should reach Kong, 
and afterward an extensive country to traverse, inhabited by 
various nations, with whose language and manners I was totally 
unacquainted, I relinquished this scheme, and judged, that I 
