14 
INTRODUCTION. 
but having allayed our thirst we somewhat recovered our 
©HT spirits and pursued our journey. 
Having got out of this dilemma^ we proceeded to another 
village, situated at a little distance from the Senegal, in- 
tending to take the first opportunity of approaching the river. 
Here we halted to hold council : it was resolved that we 
should rest there, and break up secretly in the middle of the 
night for the purpose of gaining the bank of the river. This re- 
solution of M. Partarrieu's was opposed by Major Gray ; he 
objected that we might be attacked by the way, and that, after 
having broken the convention we should be treated as deserters, 
and surely murdered ; adding, that he had better take with 
him one attendant and make the best of his way to the French 
factory at Bakel, to solicit succour. In vain did M. Partar- 
rieu strive to convince him of the imprudence of such a plan 
and the danger in which we should be left by his absence. 
When the Foulahs,'' he added, shall know that our 
chief is no longer with us, they will consider us as a body 
without head and not hesitate to attack us." All was to no 
purpose ; the major would not listen to any remonstrance, 
and departed. In the morning, the Foulahs discovered his 
absence ; they came in crowds, accusing us of treachery, 
and using terrible menaces; they were even preparing to 
fire, when M. Partarrieu conceived the happy idea of telling 
them that he had quarrelled with Major Gray, and that he 
would rather die than suffer him to come back to us. This 
tale was believed ; the Foulahs were appeased and permitted 
us to go to a village situated near the river. 
Major Gray accordingly repaired to Bakel, where he 
obtained a few blacks, with whom he set out to rejoin us ; 
but, like ourselves he did wrong in coming off without water ; 
having been unable to procure any by the way, he dispersed 
his men to seek for some. They not only found none, but 
lost themselves in the woods, where they fell in with the 
