TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
he did towards us I was really for a long time 
at a loss to define, although he more than once 
hinted at having received private information, 
and as he said from good authority, that we had 
in view the destruction of his country, but 
which I could not then believe, and supposed 
he only made that excuse a cloak to hide some 
other motive with which I ineffectually strained 
every nerve to become satisfactorily acquainted. 
The information which I afterwards acquired 
with respect to the immense profits arising to 
the native merchants from the trade, and 
barter of slaves, in the transaction already 
mentioned of redeeming the Bondoo woman 
and her daughter out of the hands of the Kaar- 
tans, led me, in considering that subject mi- 
nutely, to reflect on other circumstances con- 
nected with the question, and that left no 
doubt on my mind as to his having been there- 
by influenced : these shall be fully explained 
hereafter. 
The king of Kaarta likewise, after tempting 
me under the most flattering promises to enter 
his country, having even sent an escort of one 
thousand horse to conduct me in safety, when 
he had received from me to the full measure 
which inclination or duty prompted me to give 
him, not only broke every promise he made me 
