INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. 
45 
Bien^ merci, Monsieur" He asked the question, and answered 
it himself, not understanding the meaning of the words, which 
he repeated several times ; he then asked me many questions, 
inquiring about the merchants of St. Louis with whom he 
was acquainted, and lastly about my own profession. I told 
him the same tale which I had got up the evening before for 
Mohammed-Sidy-Moctar ; he was perfectly satisfied with 
it, and I perceived (as I had on the former occasion) that 
what pleased them most was the account of my wealth. He 
reiterated his questions, to try whether 1 should repeat the 
same answers, and concluded by assuring me of his protection 
while I should remain in his dominions, and particularly 
against his great marabout. He told me not to be afraid of 
any of his subjects ; to which I replied that I feared no one 
but God. This answer pleased him j he took my hand with 
an air of satisfaction, exclaiming at the same time : Maloiim, 
Abd-AUahi (that is right Abd-Allahi*) and then dismissed 
me, admonishing me to rejoin my mentor, and not to leave 
him again. As it was now dark however, and I did not 
know where to find Mohammed-Sidy-Moctar, I was lodged 
in a tent belonging to the king's suite, many of whom 
crowded around me. 
I was not yet accustomed to the Moorish diet, and the 
small quantity of milk I had drunk in the morning was very 
little support ; it was now late at night and I was ravenously 
hungry. I ventured at last, to ask those who were about me 
for something to eat. One of them repeated the request to 
the king, who sent for me again, made me say a prayer, and 
then ordered a slave to milk a cow for me. I had hoped for 
something a little more substantial, and 1 told Hamet-Dou, 
when they brought me the milk, that I should like to eat 
something before I drank, and that I was more hungry than 
thirsty. These words excited "laughter unextinguishable" 
* I had chosen the name of Abd-AUahi as the most satisfactory to 
Musulman piety ; it signifies slave of God. 
