246 TRAVELS IN THE 
the assembly of the whole body. I related to the Mansa, the 
circumstances of my having been robbed of my horse and 
apparel ; and my story was confirmed by the two shepherds. 
He continued smoking his pipe all the time I was speaking; 
but I had no sooner finished, than taking his pipe from his 
mouth, and tossing up the sleeve of his cloak with an indignant 
air, " sit dov^n (said he), you shall have every thing restored 
" to you; I have sworn it:" — and then turning to an attendant, 
" give the white man (said he) a draught of water; and with 
*' the first light of the morning, go over the hills, and inform 
*' the Dooty of Bammakoo, that a poor white man, the King 
" of Bambarra's stranger, has been robbed by the King of 
" Fooladoo's people/' 
I little expected, in my forlorn condition, to meet with a 
man who could thus feel for my sufferings. I heartily thanked 
the Mansa for his kindness, and accepted his invitation to 
remain with him until the return of the messenger. I was con- 
ducted into a hut, and had some victuals sent me; but the 
crowd of people which assembled to see me, all of whom commi- 
serated my misfortunes, and vented imprecations against the 
Foulahs, prevented me from sleeping until past midnight. 
Two days I remained without hearing any intelligence of my 
horse or clothes ; and as there was at this time a great scarcity 
of provisions, approaching even to famine, all over this part 
of the country, I was unwilling to trespass any farther on the 
Mansa's generosity, and begged permission to depart to the 
next village. Finding me very anxious to proceed, he told me 
that I might go as far as a town called Wonda, where he hoped 
