TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
19 
never been done ; and why he should have ex- 
pected it on this occasion, was no less matter of 
surprise than his haughty language and de- 
portment. After much conversation, little of 
which was relevant to the question, he consent- 
ed to our moving, which we did at four, p. m., 
and ascending a steep hill, so closely covered 
with cane that we had more difficulty in passing 
it than any former part of our path, the dry 
leaves of the cane with which it was covered, 
rendered the ground so slippery, that the men 
with difficulty kept their feet; and that nothing 
might be wanting to complete our confusion, 
the Foolahs set fire to the dry grass and roots, 
in which the place abounded. We fortunately 
escaped without any injury, save the loss of two 
asses that lay down unable to move further. It 
was dark when we began to descend the east- 
ern side of the hill, which, from the animals fre- 
quently falling, occupied two hours. We reached 
the Poosa, a small stream, at eleven, p. m., and 
encamped on its banks. Our want of the means 
of conveyance was every day, nay every hour, be - 
coming more distressing ; carriers could not be 
procured for all the loads of the animals that 
died or were abandoned ; we therefore destroyed 
two of our tents and a large quantity of flints 
and musket balls. 
The prince, observing Captain Campbell seat- 
c 2 
