^86 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
religion, to place them on a level with their more 
wealthy northern fellow-creatures. 
Samba's messenger did not return from 
Kaarta until the 26th of January, at so late an 
hour that, although my anxiety to be made ac- 
quainted with the result of his embassy was 
great indeed, I was obliged to exert my patience 
until the following morning, when Samba came 
with him to my hut, and informed me that, after 
waiting several days for an answer from Modi- 
ba, he at length received one to the following 
effect, that a guide should be appointed imme- 
diately to conduct me to Kaarta, and that every 
assistance and protection I might require should 
be afforded me as far as Modiba's arm (influence) 
extended. This was (as far as words went) good ; 
but the guide had not arrived, and although the 
messenger was told he should join him before he 
passed the frontier (where he waited two days for 
him), he did not make his appearance. The mes- 
senger, however, said that I might expect to see 
him in a few days. Patience again : for without it 
nothing was to be done. On this occasion however 
(at least with regard to his coming) it was not 
much tried, for he arrived on the 28th instant, 
after telling me that Modiba had sent him to con- 
duct me to Kaarta, where I should be received 
and treated as the friend of Samba. He said 
that in consequence of the wilderness through 
