$6 TRAVELS IN THE 
passing through his country, the good old king appeared not 
only perfectly satisfied, but promised me every assistance in his 
power. He informed me that he had seen Major Houghton, 
and presented him with a white horse ; but that after crossing 
the kingdom of Kaarta A he had lost his life among the Moors ; 
in what manner he could not inform me. When this audience 
was ended we returned to our lodging, and I made up a small 
present for the king, out of the few effects that were left me : 
for I had not yet received any thing from Salim Daucari. This 
present, though inconsiderable in itself, was well received by 
the king, who sent me in return a large white bullock. The 
sight of this animal quite delighted my attendants ; not so much 
on account of its bulk, as from its being of a white colour ; 
which is considered as a particular mark of favour. But al- 
though the king himself was well disposed towards me, and 
readily granted me permission to pass through his territories, 
I soon discovered that very great and unexpected obstacles were 
likely to impede my progress. Besides the war which was on 
the point of breaking out between Kasson and Kajaaga, I was 
told that the next kingdom of Kaarta, through which my route 
lay, was involved in the issue ; and was furthermore threatened 
with hostilities on the part of Bambarra. The king himself in- 
formed me of these circumstances ; and advised me to stay in 
the neighbourhood of Kooniakary, till such time as he could 
procure proper information respecting Bambarra, which he ex- 
pected to do in the course of four or five days, as he had already, 
he said, sent four messengers into Kaarta for that purpose. I 
readily submitted to this proposal, and went to Soolo, to stay 
