C4 2 TRAVELS IN THE 
and by way of opening the conversation, inquired if they had 
shot any thing ; but without returning an answer, one of them 
ordered me to dismount ; and then, as if recollecting himself, 
waved with his hand for me to proceed. I accordingly rode 
past, and had with some difficulty crossed a deep rivulet, when 
I heard somebody holloa ; and looking behind, saw those I had 
taken for elephant hunters, running after me, and calling out 
to me to turn back. I stopped until they were all come up ; 
when they informed me, that the King of the Foulahs had sent 
them on purpose to bring me, my horse, and every thing that 
belonged to me, to Fooladoo ; and that therefore I must turn 
back, and go along with them. Without hesitating a moment, I 
turned round and followed them, and we travelled together near 
a quarter of a mile, w ithout exchanging a word ; when coming 
to a dark place in the wood, one of them said, in the Mandingo 
language, " this place will do ;" and immediately snatched my 
hat from my head. Though I was by no means free of ap- 
prehension, yet I resolved to shew as few signs of fear as pos- 
sible, and therefore told them, that unless my hat was returned 
to me, I should proceed no further. But before I had time to 
receive an answer, another drew his knife, and seizing upon a 
metal button which remained upon my waistcoat, cut it off, 
and put it into his pocket. Their intentions were now obvious ; 
and I thought that the easier they were permitted to rob me 
of every thing, the less I had to fear. I therefore allowed them 
to search my pockets without resistance, and examine every 
part of my apparel, which they did with the most scrupulous 
exactness. But observing that I had one waistcoat under another, 
