166 DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 
yellow. Vast numbers of monkeys were also ob- 
served. The negroes, who, on account of the in- 
jury which these animals did to the plantations, had 
never viewed them in any light but that of a nui- 
sance, were much surprised when they found them 
eagerly sought after, and purchased at high prices 
by Europeans. Many, on observing this, brought 
rats, and offered them for sale, expecting that the 
same taste would attach to them a similar value. 
The director proceeded next to Ghiorel, whence 
he paid a visit to the Siratik, who received him in 
the same amicable manner as before. The Dutch, 
it appeared, had sent an embassy, and endeavoured 
to draw him off from the French alliance, but with- 
out success. The monarch implored the assistance 
of Brue,to deliver him from an enormous lion, which 
was the terror of the district. The Director, ac- 
cordingly, sent four of his negroes to attack this 
formidable animal. The lion was soon found, and 
the encounter took place. It was terrible ; he killed 
two negroes, and dangerously wounded a third, 
whom he would have dispatched, had not the 
fourth, by a happy stroke, killed him on the spot. 
The carcase was borne in triumph to the palace, 
and the skin presented to the French governor. 
Br ue now left Ghiorel, and ascended the river. 
In passing Embakane, near the frontier of Gallam, 
a singular spectacle presented itself. The sun was 
suddenly darkened, and, on looking upwards, they 
