118 TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
flocked round us in hopes of receiving presents 
(and they invariably got something, but which 
was not as great as they either expected or 
could have wished), prevented the natives from 
bringing to market even the scanty supply 
which their reduced means at that time of the 
year would have enabled them to do. 
For several days we submitted to a very 
scanty allowance indeed, and we had no appear- 
ance of obtaining a more plentiful supply by 
any other means than that of arranging matters 
to the satisfaction of Almamy, which we were at 
length (by means of considerable presents to 
him and his followers) enabled to do. Indeed 
the latter, a set of cringing liars, and all either 
Goulas (singing people) or Bilos (blacksmiths), 
were as difficult to be pleased as their master, 
with whom they had such influence that no 
matter was decided on, or step taken, without 
their advice, and whose interest it was absolute- 
ly necessary to purchase, though, I believe, to 
little purpose ; as they will make the fairest pro- 
mises to attain their end, and then betray their 
benefactor ; or, at least, in their private confer- 
ences with Almamy, give him advice directly 
contrary to that expressed as their opinion in 
public, and by no means conducive to the at- 
tainment of our wishes. No sooner was one 
promise made by him and them, on the proviso 
