158 DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 
a character entirely similar. Brue now received a 
message from the Siratik, expressing desire, and 
even impatience, to see him. For these sentiments, 
the Director gave him full credit, having announ- 
ced his intention of paying up all the dues which 
had been withheld by his predecessor. He came 
next to Kahayde, a place of considerable trade up- 
on the river. Here he was visited by the chief, 
who was well mounted, and followed by a retinue 
of about twenty attendants, handsomely equipped. 
His wife, daughters, and female slaves, accompa- 
nied him, mounted upon asses. The particulars 
of the interview are not given, but some trade, 
though not very satisfactory, appears to have been 
carried on. Of the monarchs of Africa, our tra- 
veller here remarks in general, that European 
beggars, whatever effrontery they may possess, 
might derive important lessons from the example 
of these princes. Every gift bestowed, instead 
of appeasing their cravings, is considered only as 
affording an opening to demand something more. 
After all forms of request have been exhausted, 
borrowing is resorted to, but with the firm deter- 
mination of never repaying. When any of these 
multiplied petitions are rejected, the prohibition - 
of commerce, or at least the loading it with new 
imposts, is the invariable resort. The worst of all 
is, when an African makes a present, for in this 
case, by immemorial usage, he conceives himself 
