45*2 VISIT TO THE CHIEF OF JENNE. 
distinction of which I was not a little proud^ for it is not 
granted to every one. The Moor again informed the chief 
what my intentions were ; he added that, being very poor, 
I threw myself an his hospitality. The chief, after listen- 
ing attentively, said that until an opportunity should occur 
for my going to Timbuctoo, on my way to my native country, 
I should remain Vvith the sherif who, as a rich man and a 
descendant of the Prophet, would take care that I should be 
well treated. Before I left him, this negro chief requested 
that I would myself repeat the story J had related in the 
morning, which I briefly did, the Moor who had joined me 
acting as interpreter. Of all the Moors whom I had seen 
during the morning, the sherif had given me the coolest 
reception. The chief sent one of his people to conduct me 
to the residence of my new host, and I returned among 
my new countrymen, whose presence had at first some- 
what alarmed me. I fancied thtit they could all read in 
my countenance the deception which I was practising 
upon them ; but fortunately this was not the case. The 
man who accompanied me communicated the commands 
of the chief to the sherif, who replied that he was very 
ready to obey them. He made me sit down on the ground 
beside him, and he and the Moors who were with him 
repeated all the questions which they had put to me be- 
fore. The sherif appeared to be a man of greater conse- 
quence than the rest. He spoke but little, and retired 
into his house apparently not very well pleased at being bur- 
thened with me. He said nothing to me, but put a few 
questions to the Moors, who repeated them to me. 
A numerous concourse collected around us ; but it gra- 
dually dispersed, and at length I was left alone with the two 
Moors, who were very sociable. One of them, who was 
named Al-Haggi-Mohanuiied, called one of his slaves, gave 
her some cowries, and sent her to purchase four small loaves 
or cakes of rice, together with some butter and honey. She 
