INTERIOR OF AFRICA. > 347 
of Dentila ; a very long day's journey from this place. We 
accordingly set out together, and travelled with great expe- 
dition, through the woods, until noon ; when one of the Sera- 
woolli slaves dropt the load from his head, for which he was 
smartly whipped. The load was replaced; but he had not 
proceeded above a mile before he let it fall a second time, for 
which he received the same punishment. After this he travelled 
in great pain until about two o'clock, when we stopt to breathe 
a little, by a pool of water, the day being remarkably hot. The 
poor slave was now so completely exhausted that his master 
was obliged to release him from the rope, for he lay motionless 
on the ground. A Serawoolli therefore undertook to remain 
with him, and endeavour to bring him to the town during 
the cool of the night: in the meanwhile we continued our 
route, and after a very hard day's travel, arrived at Baniserile 
late in the evening. 
One of our Slatees was a native of this place, from which he 
had been absent three years. This man invited me to go with 
him to his house; at the gate of which his friends met him, with 
many expressions of joy; shaking hands with him, embracing 
him, and singing and dancing before him. As soon as he had- 
seated himself upon a mat, by the threshold of his door, a 
young woman (his intended bride) brought a little water in 
a calabash, and kneeling down before him, desired him to wash 
his hands: when he had done this, the girl with a tear of joy 
sparkling in her eyes, drank the water; this being considered as 
the greatest proof she could possibly give him of her fidelity and 
attachment. About eight o'clock the same evening, the Sera- 
Yya 
