DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 179 
they often experienced a scarcity. This condition 
produced an immense concourse, both of those who 
had gum to sell, and of those who had not. Brue 
insisted that a scrutiny should take place, and that 
none should be fed, who did not come duly provid- 
ed with the materials of trade. 
About this time, the Brak was thrown into ex- 
treme consternation by the intelligence, that Addi, 
a Moorish prince, was approaching with a body of 
troops, and, as his conscience suggested, to revenge 
the wrong sustained by his countrymen. A mes- 
senger arrived at midnight at the Director's quar- 
ters, to announce this intelligence, and implore his 
assistance. While Brue was deliberating what 
course to follow, notice was received, that Addi 
was coming with the most pacific intention, and 
merely to pay a friendly visit to the Brak. As he 
was attended, however, by twenty fusiliers, that 
puissant monarch requested a reinforcement, in 
order to secure himself and his capital from any 
risk of insult. Being supplied, therefore, with 
fifteen free negroes, he was enabled to muster a 
guard of thirty musqueteers, who made a respectable 
figure. When the salute was made by mutual 
discharges of musquetry, they fired with ball, which 
was complained of by the Moors as somewhat too 
rude a welcome. However, the interview passed 
between Addi and the Brak with the utmost polite- 
ness and apparent cordiality. Addi then came on 
