12 
INTRODUCTION. 
think of fighting, and all that could now be done was to 
endeavour by new negociations to avert the calamities which 
threatened us : such were the sentiments of the chief officers 
of the expedition ; they conceived that a battle could not 
fail to have a most disastrous issue ; and that, independently 
of the loss of men and the pillage of goods, it would thence- 
forward render the whites objects of horror and execration in 
the interior of Africa. These prudent reflexions induced 
our chief to demand a palaver, which was granted by our 
enemies, but with the superiority and haughtiness of men 
sure of victory. 
The almamy rejected all the propositions that were 
made to him, and arrogantly dictated the conditions of 
peace : all that could be wrung from him by dint of solici- 
tations and presents was permission to keep as near the 
Senegal as possible, that we might not be in want of water : 
but he was inflexible in regard to the route which we were to 
pursue ; Fouta- Toro, or no water ^ was his definitive answer. 
We submitted thankfully to every thing, and, when once 
assured of our obedience, he made a sign to the soldiers who 
guarded the wells to retire, and we could then drink with 
security. The anxiety in which we were during this parley, 
added to the heat, caused us to consider this permission of 
the almamy's as a kindness, especially for our animals, which 
had been on their legs with their loads ever since day-break, 
without eating or drinking. 
Our departure for Fouta-Toro was deferred till the 
following day. Our caravan resembled a long file of pri- 
soners : a multitude of horsemen hovered upon our wings, 
to prevent our straggling. The almamy was more vigilant 
on this point than any other 3 the traitor, to make the more 
sure that this valuable booty would not escape his allies of 
Fouta-Toro, followed us to our first halting-place, and did 
not leave us till he had received a fresh present ; but, on 
retiring, he committed the duty of superintending our march 
