INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 323 
cerning the Europeans; and I could hardly expect that he 
would always judge with impartiality between me and his 
countrymen. Time had, indeed, reconciled me, in some degree, 
to their mode of life; and a smoky hut, or a scanty supper, 
gave me no great uneasiness; but I became at last wearied out 
with a constant state of alarm and anxiety, and felt a painful 
longing for the manifold blessings of civilized society. 
On the morning of the 17th, a circumstance occurred, which 
wrought a considerable change in my favour. The three trading 
Moors, who had lodged under Karfa's protection, ever since their 
arrival at Kamalia, and had gained the esteem of all the Bush- 
reens, by an appearance of great sanctity, suddenly packed up 
their effects, and, without once thanking Karfa for his kindness 
towards them, marched over the hills to Bala. Every one was 
astonished at this unexpected removal ; but the affair was cleared 
up in the evening, by the arrival of the Fezzan merchant from 
Kancaba (mentioned in p. 317); who assured Karfa, that these 
Moors had borrowed all their salt and goods from him, and had 
sent for him to come to Kamalia, and receive payment. When 
he was told that they had fled to the westward, he wiped a tear 
from each eye with the sleeve of his cloak, and exclaimed, 
" these shirrukas (robbers) are Mahomedans, but they are not 
"men; they have robbed me of two hundred minkallies." 
From this merchant, I received information of the capture of 
our Mediterranean 'convoy by the French, in October 1795. 
April 19th. The long wished-for day of our departure was 
at length arrived ; and the Slatees having taken the irons from 
their slaves, assembled with them at the door of Karfa's house, 
T t 2 
