474 PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. 
the purchase of my amber and coral at a price much below 
their value ; however, as I wished to continue on good terms 
with him, I made him a further present of a yard of calico, 
which I had reserved for myself. 
At sun-set Oulad-Marmou gave me a handful of dates, 
and a very fine water-melon. He repeated this present every 
evening until my departure : the umbrella had completely 
established me in his favour. The produce of the sale of my 
merchandise was valued at thirty thousand cowries, and the 
sherif bought cloth of the country for me to that amount, 
assuring me that it would sell well at Timbuctoo. The cloth 
was packed up in two pagnes, for which I was indebted to 
his liberality. He also gave me four yellow wax-candles, 
made in the country, which I burned on board the canoe^ 
during my passage. 
On the 22nd of March, I was informed that I could start 
next day for Timbuctoo. The sherif sent me in the evening, 
a new loaf and a very good mutton stew for my supper. 
On the morning of the 23rd he sent for me to his house. 
I took with me my bag, which he ordered one of his people 
to carry to the canoe, as well as my package of merchandise. 
He mixed together in my presence a good deal of millet flour 
and honey. This preparation was intended to be put into 
water for my drink ; and I found it very useful on my passage, 
during which I was extremely ill-used, as will be seen in the 
sequel. The young Moor, whom I have already mentioned 
and to whom I made a present of a pair of scissors, gave me a 
large supply of wheaten bread, which had been dried in an oven, 
and told me how it was to be eaten ; they first soak it in water 
and then mix it with a good deal of butter and honey. The 
sherif informed me that he had paid the master of the caravan 
three hundred cowries for my maintenance during the whole 
passage. He, as well as the young Moor, and the Haggi-Mo- 
hammed, attended me on board the canoe, which might 
