TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
119 
of receiving a present, and those terms complied 
with on our part, than some contrary construc- 
tion was put on the same, and we were left to 
devise such other means of attaining our object 
as the moment might suggest. It is really im- 
possible for a person not conversant with such 
affairs, or acquainted with such people, to have 
any idea of the irksome and perplexing nature 
of their duplicity and falsehood, or of the situa- 
tion a man finds himself placed in, when depend- 
ent in a great measure on their will and plea- 
sure for the common necessaries of life. 
Such was our situation on the l6th, when we 
went to Almamy's residence, in order to endea- 
vour, by any possible means, to gain permission 
to choose our own route. But in this, however, 
we were unfortunately not able to succeed, and 
consequently submitted with an apparent good 
grace, for any other line of conduct would have 
tended to no good purpose ; telling him that we 
would be ready to move on the 18th, and as he 
seemed to think he could protect us more effec- 
tually in that road than any other, we requested 
that guides might be immediately appointed to 
conduct us. This was directly complied with ; 
when we returned to our huts, and made the 
arrangements necessary in consequence of so 
long and unpleasant delays. 
We left Goodeerie at half after five in the 
