INTERIOR OF AFRICA. I97 
to see him. He immediately sent over one of his chief men, 
who informed me that the king could not possibly see me, 
until he knew what had brought me into his country ; and 
that I must not presume to cross-the river without the king's 
permission. He therefore advised me to lodge at a distant village, 
to which he pointed, for the night ; and said that in the morning 
he would give me further instructions how to conduct myself. 
This was very discouraging. However, as there was no remedy, 
I set off for the village; where I found, to my great mortifi- 
cation, that no person would admit me into his house. I was 
regarded with astonishment and fear, and was obliged to sit 
all day without victuals, in the shade of a tree ; and the night 
threatened to be very uncomfortable, for the wind rose, and 
there was great appearance of a heavy rain ; and the wild beasts 
are so very numerous in the neighbourhood, that I should have 
been under the necessity of climbing up the tree, and resting 
amongst the branches. About sunset, however, as I was pre- 
paring to pass the night in this manner, and had turned my 
horse loose, that he might graze at liberty, a woman, returning 
from the labours of the field, stopped to observe me, and per- 
ceiving that I was weary and dejected, inquired into my 
situation, which I briefly explained to her ; whereupon, with 
looks of great compassion, she took up my saddle and bridle, and 
told me to follow her. Having conducted me into her hut, 
she lighted up a lamp, spread a mat on the floor, and told me 
I might remain there for the night. Finding that I was very 
hungry, she said she would procure me something to eat. She 
accordingly went out, and returned in a short time with a very 
