HE IS ATTACKED BYTHE SCURVY. 335 
unsightly building, capable of containing about three hundred 
persons. He described in glowing terms the way in which 
the Europeans dress and eat, which greatly astonished the 
simple negroes, who imagined that there were no other 
dresses than theirs in the world, and that the custom of eating 
with the fingers was universal. When I first arrived at Time, 
I was frequently visited by a negro who asked me a thousand 
questions respecting the way in which I had been fed by the 
christians. He used to seat himself very close to me, and 
often upon my baggage, and on my manifesting displeasure 
at this, he withdrew somewhat out of humour, declaring that 
I was a christian. He, doubtless, hoped to make me purchase 
his silence on this subject ; but as he was the only one who 
troubled me in this way, I was resolved that he should gain 
nothing by his insolence. I was a stranger, but under the 
protection of the almamy of Sambatikila, which, I suppose, 
inspired a sort of respect. The old negress continued very 
attentive to me, and I therefore promised to make her a hand- 
some present at my departure, and in the mean time, I oc- 
casionally gave her a few glass ornaments. 
By the 10th of November the sore in my foot was almost 
healed, and I hoped to profit by the first opportunity of setting 
out for Jenne. But, alas ! at that very time, violent pains in 
my jaw informed me that I was attacked with scurvy, and I 
soon experienced all the horrors of that dreadful disease : the 
roof of my mouth became quite bare, a part of the bones ex- 
foliated and fell away, and my teeth seemed ready to drop 
out of their sockets. I feared that my brain would be affected 
by the agonizing pains I felt in my head, and I was more 
than a fortnight without sleep. To crown my misery, the 
sore in my foot broke out afresh, and all hope of my depar- 
ture vanished. The horror of my situation may be more 
easily imagined than described, — alone^ in the interior of a 
wild country, stretched on the damp ground, with no pillow 
but the leather bag which contained my luggage, with no 
