TOUBE. 27 
Having sent back our boats, we began to load our beasts, 
which was a business of some difficulty, owing to the dark- 
ness of the night. I gave my European clothes to my friend, 
and put on the Moorish dress, but it did not sufficiently 
cover me, and I was soon assailed by a host of musquitoes, 
which left me not a moment's rest. My horse, tormented by 
these troublesome insects, ran off into the country : my Ma- 
rabout pursued, and with much trouble overtook him. When 
all was ready I embraced my friend, whose tears betrayed his 
conviction that we were parting for ever. We separated, and 
I hurried my people after me ; we took the route to Leibar ; 
we had soon passed Toubé, although, owing to the darkness 
of the night Ave lost all traces of the way. As this was my 
first essay, I was of course fatigued ; Boukari who perceived it. 
advised me to return to Toubé ; all the inhabitants of that place 
were in bed ; in vain Ave demanded hospitality from the chief 
of the village : my Moorish costume, Avhich he perceived 
through the reeds that formed his door, made him fear that I 
might be one of the people of the Damel. We were obliged 
to take up our quarters in the open air ; the cold was so sharp, 
that it Avas impossible for me to obtain any sleep, especially 
as from my inexperience in expeditions of this kind, I thought 
myself obliged to watch for the preservation of my baggage, 
supposing the number of robbers to be not less in Africa than 
in Europe, in a place open on all sides. I awaited day-light 
Avith impatience ; Avhen it appeared, the master of the hut, near 
E 2 
