138 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
and attention to Mr. Dochard, and the men 
with him, I made him a handsome present, and 
gave him an account of the reward which had 
been promised to him, in case of his fulfilling 
the terms of his engagement, an advance of 
merchandize to the amount of fifteen pounds 
sterling. 
Although I had my doubts as to this man's 
being a servant or officer of the king's, I was 
nevertheless aware that much depended on his 
reports in the country respecting us, and there- 
fore endeavoured, by all means within my power, 
and consistent with prudence, to keep the fel- 
low in our interest. His wife, too, who travelled 
in his train, received many small presents from 
us, and on this occasion was dashingly equipped 
for the journey, in order, as Lamina said, not to 
reflect discredit on those white men belonging 
to a Great White King, with whom they had 
been so long associated. 
My next object was to despatch Mr. Par- 
tarrieau (the only person holding the rank of 
an officer then in good health) to the coast, to 
procure the articles for Almamy, and a supply 
of merchandize for the use of the expedition, 
which so long a halt had rendered absolutely ne- 
cessary. Almamy still remained atWooro Samba, 
where I paid him another visit, and made him a 
small present. On the ^5th, he informed me 
