INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 225 
informed, that in three days the fruit would be ready for pound- 
ing and boiling ; and that the butter thus manufactured, is pre- 
ferable to that which is prepared from fruit dried in the sun ; 
especially in the rainy season ; when the process by insolation 
is always tedious, and oftentimes ineffectual. 
Aug. 13. About ten o'clock I reached a small village within 
half a mile of Sego, where I endeavoured, but in vain, to pro- 
cure some provisions. Every one seemed anxious to avoid me ; 
and I could plainly perceive, by the looks and behaviour of the 
inhabitants, that some very unfavourable accounts had been 
circulated concerning me. I was again informed, that Mansong 
had sent people to apprehend me ; and the Dooty's son told 
me I had no time to lose, if I wished to get safe out of Bam- 
barra, I now fully saw the danger of my situation, and deter- 
mined to avoid Sego altogether. I accordingly mounted my 
horse, and taking the road for Diggani, travelled as fast as I 
could, until I was out of sight of the villagers, when I struck to 
the westward, through high grass and swampy ground. About 
noon, I stopped under a tree, to consider what course to take ; for 
I had now no doubt that the Moors and Slateeshad misinformed 
the king respecting the object of my mission, and that people 
were absolutely in search of me, to convey me a prisoner to Sego. 
Sometimes I had thoughts of swimming my horse across the 
Niger, and going to the southward for Cape Coast ; but reflect- 
ing that I had ten days to travel before I should reach Kong, 
and afterward an extensive country to traverse, inhabited by 
various nations, with whose language and manners I was totally 
unacquainted, I relinquished this scheme, and judged, that I 
Gg 
