122 
DISAPPOINTMENT. 
it was not till the 8th that I could set out again for the port, 
where I arrived on the 10th, two days after the departure of 
the governor for St. Louis. I expected to find a letter, but had 
the mortification to learn that he had not left one for me; he 
had however authorized the officer who commanded the brig 
on that station to make some advances on my behalf ; bat 
when I applied to this officer, he told me that he had no 
government effects on board, and that the advance which 
he was ordered to make was very trifling. My wants how- 
ever were urgent, and I asked for two pieces of Guinea cloth ; 
they gave me two pieces of burham pooter,* but so very 
bad that I could not have exchanged them for millet. I 
wrote again to the governor, but received no answer. I 
suspected from that time that opposition would be made 
to my scheme, and my fears were afterwards realized. 
Before I left the mart, I took up some more goods be- 
longing to M. Rene Valentin, who had the generosity to 
let me have them without security. I set off on my return 
to the camp with a heavy heart and a head wearied with 
the thoughts that crowded upon me, on losing the hope 
which I had cherished of assistance from government for 
the completion of my design. I scarcely noticed what was 
passing around me ; it was not till we halted near a lake 
called Tichilite el Bedane, that I perceived that my com- 
panions had purchased a sheep with the Guinea cloth which 
I had received on board. Two zenagues, who had followed 
us in the hope of coming in for a share of the sheep which 
they had sold, were charged with the business of dressing 
it. When it was cooked, the two marabouts were very 
generous at my expense, and we found about fifteen per- 
* A sort of light, blue calico very coarse and thin in its texture, and 
used by the Moors for mosquito-curtains, and sometimes for coussabes 
for their slaves. It is sold at the Senegal at from eight to twelve shillings 
the piece of fourteen yards. 
