32^ TRAVELS IN THE 
where the bundles were all tied up, and every one had his load 
assigned him. The coffle, on its departure from Kamalia, con- 
sisted of twenty-seven slaves for sale, the property of Karfa and 
four other Slatees ; but we were afterwards joined by five at 
Maraboo, and three at Bala ; making in all thirty-five slaves. 
The free men were fourteen in number, but most of them had one 
or two wives, and some domestic slaves ; and the schoolmaster, 
who was now upon his return for Woradoo, the place of his 
nativity, took with him eight of his scholars ; so that the 
number of free people and domestic slaves amounted to thirty- 
eight, and the whole amount of the coffle was seventy-three. 
Among the free men were six Jillakeas (singing men), whose 
musical talents were frequently exerted either to divert our 
fatigue, or obtain us a welcome from strangers. When we 
departed from Kamalia, we were followed for about half a mile, 
by most of the inhabitants of the town, some of them crying, 
and others shaking hands with their relations, who were now 
about to leave them ; and when we had gained a piece of rising 
ground, from which we had a view of Kamalia, all the people be- 
longing to the coffle were ordered to sit down in one place, with 
their faces towards the west, and the townspeople were desired 
to sit down in another place, with their faces towards Kamalia. 
In this situation, the schoolmaster, with two of the principal 
Slatees, having taken their places between the two parties, pro- 
nounced a long and solemn prayer ; after which they walked 
three times round the coffle, making an impression in the ground 
with the ends of their spears, and muttering something by way 
of charm. When this ceremony was ended, all the people be- 
