42 TUMULT AT COQUE ON THE APPEARANCE OF THE AUTHOR. 
their camels and oxen. The chief was seated under some 
trees, enjoying the coolness of the night. On being informed 
who I was, he conducted us into a distant hut which belonged 
to him. It was soon filled by Negroes, eager to see a white 
traveller, and it was midnight before these inquisitive people 
left me. 
February 7th. My Marabout awoke me at an early hour 
to go and pay my respects to the chief of the village, and 
thank him for the friendly reception which I had received 
from him the preceding night. Most of the people were yet 
asleep, so that 1 was not annoyed by the curiosity of any 
crowd in the streets ; but on approaching the hut of the chief 
it was not without alarm that I observed from a thousand to 
twelve hundred persons assembled to pay their respects and 
make inquiries after him ; I would have returned, but it was 
too late, for they perceived me. " There is a white man !" 
was the general cry ; it was the first time these Negroes had 
seen one. The hut of the chief was soon forsaken, and I 
found myself instantly surrounded by an innumerable multi- 
tude, which collected from all sides. So eager was their 
curiosity, that most of them had left behind some part of their 
apparel ; they pushed against one another, clapped their 
hands, and cried, " The white man for ever !" but these 
clamours which tickled my vanity were mingled with others 
which could not but excite alarm. I distinctly heard these 
words : " Down with the Christian!" uttered by the Moors. 
