MR PARK'S FIRST JOURNEY. 
341 
panied by a singing man, and bringing a horse to 
him, that he might enter his native town like a 
person of consequence. As soon as they approach- 
ed the town, they were joined by a number of the 
inhabitants, shouting, jumping, and singing, and 
the minstrel began a song in praise of the black- 
smith, extolling his courage, and exhorting his 
friends to dress abundance of victuals for him. His 
relations testified the most extravagant joy at his 
return, and his aged blind mother was led out, lean- 
ing on a staff, to congratulate her son, who stroked 
his hands, arms, and face, and seemed greatly de- 
lighted. During this tumult of joy, when the at- 
tention of every one was so much absorbed, that 
none of them observed the white stranger, Mr 
Park seated himself beside one of the huts ; but 
when the negro proceeded to detail his history, 
from the period of his leaving Kasson, and, after 
repeatedly mentioning the kindness of the white 
traveller, pointing to the place, and exclaimed, 
" See him sitting there" — their joy was converted 
into amazement, the eyes of all were turned upon 
the stranger, and none could comprehend how he 
had arrived without being perceived. The wo- 
men and children, however, could not conceal 
their apprehensions at his appearance, nor be 
reconciled to it for some time, though the black- 
smith declared him to be quite inoffensive. The 
gratitude of this negro was so great, that he re- 
