DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 159 
entitled to a return of at least double or triple 
the value ; so that articles are procured much more 
cheaply at the most disadvantageous market, than 
by being received as presents. 
While the French Director remained at Kahayde, 
he received a second message from the Siratik, 
urging him, with the same earnestness as before, 
to repair to his residence. A sail of two leagues 
brought him to Ghiorel, a port belonging to that 
prince. Here he was visited, the same evening, 
by one of the princes, called Buckar Sire. Mu- 
tual presents and compliments were exchanged, 
and the young prince assured him, that his repu- 
tation alone was sufficient to secure him a welcome 
at his father's court. Soon after appeared a still 
more important personage, the grand Bouquenet, 
an old man with grey hairs, which, among negroes, 
indicates an extremely advanced age. His object 
was to receive the annual presents which the 
French Director brought with him. These con- 
sisted of a great variety of European goods, stuffs, 
hardware, toys, &c. partly for the king, partly for 
his wives ; with an additional allowance for the 
kamalingo, or lieutenant-general, and for the bou- 
quenet himself. The whole value, however, did 
not exceed seventy or eighty pounds Sterling. 
Brue now set out to visit the court. He was 
attended by six factors, two interpreters, four 
trumpeters, a few servants, and twelve free ne~ 
