170 
DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 
day after appeared with a numerous suite. Brue 
received him politely, and conducting him into 
his cabin, presented him with some chocolate. The 
king drank it with relish, having previously, how- 
ever, required a solemn assurance, that it contain- 
ed neither hog's flesh nor wine. Notwithstanding 
these scruples, on brandy being presented, he drank 
it readily, and with the greatest apparent relish. 
The same evening Brue returned the king's vi- 
sit. The palace, or rather hovel, in which this mo- 
narch resided, could scarcely be distinguished from 
those inhabited by the meanest of his subjects. 
Every thing bore the aspect of the most extreme 
poverty, over which he in vain attempted to throw 
a veil. The chiefs, who raised him to the throne, 
had not, it appears, taken any steps to provide him 
with a revenue \ and he had, as yet, no opportu- 
nity of collecting one from the usual sources. The 
presents made to him were received with the most 
ardent burst of gratitude ; but he did not, accord- 
ing to the invariable custom of Africa, make any in 
return. This omission, however, did not offend 
the French, who were satisfied that it arose from no 
motive but that of having nothing to give. 
The wind becoming west, and thus favourable 
for ascending the river, Brue immediately set out 
to continue his voyage. He arrived soon at Baba. 
Seghalie, the residence of Tonka Mouka, the de- 
posed king, who had still, it appears, a considerable 
