INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 349 
which the natives obtain very good iron. They afterwards 
hammer the metal into small bars, about a foot in length and 
two inches in breadth, one of which bars is sufficient to make 
two Mandingo corn paddles. On the morning after our arrival, 
we were visited by a Slatee of this place, who informed Karfa 
that among some slaves he had lately purchased, was a native 
of Foota Jalla; and as that country was at no great distance, 
he could not safely employ him in the labours of the field, 
lest he should effect his escape. The Slatee was therefore 
desirous of exchanging this slave for one of Karfa's, and offered 
some cloth and Shea-butter, to induce Karfa to comply with 
the proposal, which was accepted. The Slatee thereupon sent 
a boy to order the slave in question to bring him a few ground 
nuts. The poor creature soon afterwards entered the court in 
which we were sitting, having no suspicion of what was 
negotiating, until the master caused the gate to be shut, and 
told him to sit down. The slave now saw his danger, and 
perceiving the gate to be shut upon him, threw down the 
nuts and jumped over the fence. He was immediately pursued 
and overtaken by the Slatees, who brought him back, and 
secured him in irons, after which one of Karfa's slaves was 
released and delivered in exchange. The unfortunate captive 
was at first very much dejected, but in the course of a few 
days his melancholy gradually subsided ; and he became at 
length as cheerful as any of his companions. 
Departing from Kirwani on the morning of the 20th, we 
entered the Tenda Wilderness of two days' journey. The 
woods were very thick, and the country shelved towards the 
