INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 199 
accounts of me, from the Moors and Slatees residing at Sego ; 
who it seems were exceedingly suspicious concerning the motives 
of my journey. I learnt that many consultations had been held 
with the king, concerning my reception and disposal ; and some 
of the villagers frankly told me, that I had many enemies, and 
must expect no favour. 
July 22d. About eleven o'clock, a messenger arrived from 
the king ; but he gave me ver}' little satisfaction. He inquired 
particularly if I had brought any present ; and seemed much 
disappointed when he was told that I had been robbed of every 
thing by the Moors. When I proposed to go along with him, 
he told me to stop until the afternoon, when the king would 
send for me. 
July 23d. In the afternoon, another messenger arrived from 
Mansong, with a bag in his hands. He told me, it was the king's 
pleasure that I should depart forthwith from the vicinage of 
Sego ; but that Mansong, wishing to relieve a white man in 
distress, had sent me five thousand Kowries,* to enable me to 
purchase provisions in the course of my journey: the messenger 
added, that if my intentions were really to proceed to Jenne, 
he had orders to accompany me as a guide to Sansanding. I 
was at first puzzled to account for this behaviour of the king ; 
* Mention has already been made of these little shells, (p. 27) which pass current 
as money, in many parts of the East-Indies, as well as Africa. In Bambarra, 
and the adjacent countries, where the necessaries of life are very cheap, one 
hundred of them would commonly purchase a day's provisions for myself, and 
-corn for my horse. I reckoned about two hundred and fifty Kowries, equal to 
one shilling. 
