CHELICUT. 
315 
close to their encampment, with lighted torches, and playing 
their usual antics. Mr. Pearce supposed this party to consist of 
Alii Goveta and his friends, Who had promised Mr. Benzoni to 
accompany him, but of these he never saw any more, the party 
in question proving entire strangers. Shortly afterwards, Alii 
Manda came to him and said, a great man has come down ; 
we shall not be able to proceed without making hiiii a present."' 
Mr. Pearce, after remonstrating against so early a breach of 
faith, sent about four pounds of tobacco, which was contemptu- 
ously returned, the chief asking if that were a present for a 
man like him Mr. Pearce then enquired of Alii Manda what 
would be likely to satisfy him ; when the latter, after a long 
preamble, proposed the sum of twenty dollars. Mr. Pearce for 
some time evaded this demand, pretending, that he had nothing 
of the kind when Alii Manda rose up, and swore that he 
knew to the contrary ; for he had been told by some of Yunus's 
people, that Mr. Benzoni had given him a hundred." This un- 
lucky discovery reduced Mr. Pearce to the necessity of offering 
ten dollars, which was accepted ; soon after which, however, two 
more men of consequence were brought forward ; to each of 
whom, after resisting their demands, he was compelled to give 
five more. 
On proposing to start in the morning, three of the camels were 
missing, and before he could replace them, he was obliged to give 
nine other dollars, and an additional quantity of tobacco. The 
danger of his situation became now so apparent, that he sent one 
of his servants back to Madir, to communicate, if possible, with 
Mr. Benzoni ; but, to his great distress, he discovered that the 
s s 
