SALE OF THE AUTHOR'S GOODS. 
469 
beads, and measured the cloth in my presence, and the sherif 
noted down the quantities of each on a bit of paper. They 
executed this commission very well ; they were to be sure the 
principal gainers by it, for they bought the greatest part of the 
things themselves. Before the bargain was concluded, they 
did indeed ask me whether I was satisfied with the price they 
had offered. I was aware that it was too low ; but I readily 
gave my consent to all they proposed, feeling that I was in a 
situation in which I might need their services. They cer- 
tainly took advantage of me, but they were merchants who 
bought merely upon speculation. The Haggi-Mohammed, 
thinking that I had some other things in reserve, came to my 
lodging, and tried to prevail on me to shew him the contents 
of my bag. He asked me whether I had any gold or silver, 
observing that he should be very glad to hear that I had 
some, as it would enable me to support myself on my journey 
home. I assured him that I had none left, and emptied my 
bag in his presence, having previously taken the precaution of 
hiding my papers and money, for I expected that I should 
have to undergo this scrutiny. He saw some glass beads, 
amber, and coral, which I had reserved, and he again told me 
that as all those things were brought to Jenne from Tim- 
buctoo, it would be advisable for me to dispose of them before 
I set out. I at first scrupled to do this, but at length yielded 
to his urgent solicitations. He particularly admired the am- 
ber, all of which he bought at two hundred cowries per bead, 
(twenty-two French sous), one-fourth of its value at Sierra- 
Leone, where I had purchased it. He bought part of the 
coral at a still lower rate ; but the glass ornaments and cloth, 
though they fetched a low price, I sold more advantageously. 
For sixty coral beads, (^No.^4,) he offered me two hundred 
cowries. On my declining to sell them at that price, he took 
them up, and putting them into the pocket of his coussabe, 
said, " I will give you a thousand cowries, (one gourde.) 
