18 
EXCESSIVE HEAT. 
of the Senegal ! But here the immense monotonous plains 
on all sides fatigue the eye of the traveller. 
The course of the river^ though winding in some parts^ 
is still northward. On the morning of the 1st of April, I 
observed a large hill, about two hundred and fifty feet high, 
distant three or four miles from the left bank of the river. 
It was without vegetation, and appeared to be composed of 
red sand. 
We daily expected the owner of the canoe, who, on 
departing from Jenne, promised to join us in two days. He 
had assured me, that even in his absence I should be well 
treated on board. The case, however, was quite the reverse, 
so I looked for him with the utmost impatience, trusting that 
his presence would better my condition. 
After my departure from Jenne, I had the misery of 
being the only white man among the negroes, and with their 
language I was unacquainted. This circumstance, joined to 
my being a stranger, and almost destitute, emboldened them 
to insult me in the grossest manner. I was absolutely 
ranked and treated as a slave. 
During the day the heat was excessive, and I had 
great trouble to find a place where I could be shaded 
from the burning sun, which was almost insupportable, even 
in a state of inaction. In the night 1 slept on deck, for 
there was no room for me below. I was exposed to the dew 
and all the inclemency of the night; but I took the pre- 
caution of wrapping myself in a sheep-skin. However, this 
did not prevent me from being seized, on the 31st March, with 
a violent fit of illness. I experienced severe numbness, fol- 
lowed by great weakness, and my stomach rejected food. 
During my illness I was permitted to go into the cabin ; 
but the place assigned me there was very inconvenient. I 
was with a Mandingo and his female slave ; and they allowed 
me so little room that I could not lie straight; my head 
