30 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Syth, and then without having obtained any- 
very satisfactory answer from Almamy, whom 
he met at a village called Dhoontoo, on the eve 
of commencing a campaign against some of the 
neighbouring chiefs. He said, that being 
obliged to lead the army himself, and consider- 
ing his reputation at stake for our safety, he 
could not allow us to proceed during his ab- 
sence, which would not be long, and as he un- 
derstood we had lost the greater number of our 
animals, he had given directions that we should 
be provided with men to carry our baggage to 
Woonde, a town near Laby, where we were to 
await his return. On the following morning, the 
prince returned, accompanied by Sergeant Tuft 
and thirteen carriers, which not being near half 
the number required, having lost eighty-five ani- 
mals since we left Robugga, the prince said 
the remainder would soon follow ; and imme- 
diately ordered all strangers, except Foolahs, to 
quit the vicinity of our camp. The object of 
this we could not ascertain, but it deprived us 
of many persons whom we had found extremely 
useful in collecting provisions for the party. 
In this state we remained until the 7th of 
April, when we were for a moment inclined to 
think that a sufficient number of carriers would 
be furnished us, by the arrival of another party 
of men for that purpose, but we were much sur- 
