256 THE AUTHOR SUMMONED. 
pistachio-nuts, and a good quantity of onions, which thrive 
well here. Every evening Lamfia ordered a fire to be 
lighted in my hut, a custom which is very general throughout 
all the country. The negroes, indeed, burn fires at all 
seasons of the year, and keep them up the whole night. On 
the day of my arrival I made my guide a present, as a reward 
for his attention to me on my journey. This present con- 
sisted of a yard of blue Guinea cloth, which he had expressed 
a wish to have, three yards of printed calico, and six sheets 
of paper. He seemed much pleased, thanked me gratefully, 
and promised to conduct me to the Wassoulo, where I 
subsequently learned that he had to go on business of his 
own. He passed part of the day with me in my hut, because 
he said he did not wish to leave me alone with the strangers 
who came to see me. He employed himself in sewing 
together pieces of cloth of the country. 
On the market day, the chief of Kankan sent for me. 
I obeyed the summons, accompanied by my guide. On 
entering the hut of Mamadi-Sanici, I found assembled a 
number of old men all well dressed. I must confess that I 
felt no small degree of uneasiness and anxiety to learn what 
decision they would pronounce on the fate of an Arab, whom 
several among them declared to be a christian. First of all 
a short prayer was said. My guide was questioned as to 
the way in which he had become acquainted with me. 
Lamfia spoke a great deal, and said that the chief of Cambaya 
had directed him to conduct me to Mamadi-Sanici, at 
Kankan 5 that I wished to go to Jenne, with the intention 
of proceeding to Mecca, my native country. He particularly 
dwelt on the circumstance that Mr. Macaulay, the king of 
the whites at Sierra Leone, for so the negroes style him, 
had wished to establish me in trade at that place; but 
that I had repelled the odious idea of remaining among in- 
fidels. I was then asked the names of my parents ; whether 
they were still living; whether I had any other relations. 
