326 THE AUTHOR'S FOOT BECOMES WORSE. 
family. Baba asked me what I intended to do with the skin 
of the animal. I consigned it to his disposal, and he imme- 
diately went and exchanged it for a lump of salt to season our 
meat, which was boiled in a large pot, and was destined to be 
kept for several days. Th^ old negress, named Manman, a 
name very common throughout all the country, performed 
the office of cook. This good creature was very kind and 
attentive to me. She brought me herself twice a-day a little 
rice and tau, the food which composed all my meals. 1 gave 
my host a pair of scissors, with which be appeared much 
pleased : it was an article of great rarity and high price at 
Time. 
On the 15th, I went to thank the chief for his present and 
gave him the amulet, which he received very gratefully. He 
immediately wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, which he rub- 
bed over with wax and then enclosed it in another envelope, 
consisting of a piece of tanned sheep -skin. He tied this 
precious object with a little piece of string and hung it 
round his neck. He overwhelmed me with thanks aud 
wished me a speedy return to my country. 
The sore on my foot, instead of healing, grew worse. 
The month of August continued stormy : the rain poured 
down day and night : the sky was cloudy and the air heavy 
and cool. At intervals an east wind blew and was followed 
by a small, cold rain. The sun but rarely appeared. My hut 
was exceedingly damp. The water filtered through the wall 
which was made of earth and very thin. I was in a con- 
tinual vapour bath and frequently ill, owing to the insalu- 
brity of the air and the inconvenience of my new dwelling, 
in which I could not kindle a fire on account of the intolera- 
^^^h]e smoke. Throughout all the interior of Africa, the negroes 
never make chimneys. They kindle their fires in the middle 
of their huts, and leave the smoke to find its way through the 
roofs, which are in consequence thickly lined with soot. 
During the rainy season, the Mandingoes scarcely ever 
