48 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
where I found an old man, the only person 
there. He, with much apparent apprehension 
for his own safety, desired me to keep off, which 
requisition he seemed determined to enforce, 
for he laid hold of his bow, and snatched up 
one of a few arrows that were lying at his side 
on the ground. By means of my interpreter, I 
endeavoured to explain to him his fears were 
without cause, and that chance only, not inten- 
tion, led us to his retreat. This, however, did 
not convince him ; he still desired us to keep off. 
A little tobacco, and a few beads, in exchange 
for which we requested some milk, induced him 
to think more favourably of us. It was, neverthe- 
less, with much difficulty I convinced him of his 
error, and prevailed on him to go in search of 
his companions, who, on our approach, had ran 
into the woods, driving their cattle before them. 
In about fifteen minutes, he returned, and in a 
few more, the whole tribe made its appearance. 
The women and children, however, could not 
be induced to approach nearer than three hun- 
dred yards of us. Their numbers did not exceed 
four men, as many women, and ten or twelve 
children ; the latter totally naked. They are of 
a dark copper colour, and belong to the Dhyan- 
gele tribe, the chief of which resides in a wilder- 
ness of three days' journey, lying in latitude 14° 
and 15% between the kingdoms of JolofF and 
